THE NEED TO FORMALISE THE PERFORMANCE OF C/S SYSTEMS

The paper briefly reviews the current role of C/S within international safeguards, identifying its functions as a contribution to safeguards approaches and the benefits that may arise both to the Inspectorate and to facility operators. Against this background the future role of C/S is examined, taking into account the Long-Term Guidelines, the financial constraints placed on the IAEA and the anticipated growth in the number of facilities, the quantities of material under safeguards and the number of shipments. In order to improve the effectiveness and credibility of C/S as a safeguards technique it is not sufficient to develop new devices and integrated systems. It is suggested that it will be necessary to formalise the performance capabilities of individual devices and of integrated C/S systems. A method of addressing this requirement Is proposed.