IAEA Concerns About Advanced Containment and Surveillance Concepts or other Alternative safeguards concepts

Nuclear material accountancy is used in IAEA safeguards as a measure of fundamental importance, with containment and surveillance as important complementary measures. In recent years, it has been suggested to extend the use of containment and surveillance measures, or to emphasize other alternative safeguards concepts. Within the IAEA, concern has been expressed that the suggested alternatives are frequently based on unrealistic assumptions and, therefore, may lead to wrong expectations. Experience has shown that the degree of assurance obtained from the use of a specific concept, i.e., its technical feasibility, tamper-resistance, cost-effectiveness and applicability vithin the legal limitations derived from the individual safeguards agreement, requires careful examination.