Maintenance is a core activity that ensures the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of nuclear power plants throughout their expected lifetimes. This publication collates knowledge and insights from experts from various Member States and identifies general good practices — rather than specific examples — that maintenance managers and personnel can adopt to promote consistently high performance in maintenance. It provides guidance to help navigate some common challenges, such as retaining a highly skilled and committed workforce, optimizing maintenance programmes and efficiently overseeing suppliers and additional staff. It also examines the fundamental aspects of maintenance, such as managerial approach to conducting maintenance activities; the planning and control of maintenance activities with a focus on contractor oversight; the management of documentation and personnel skills; the use of key performance indicators; and the conduct of benchmarks.

The Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development, and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) was established in 1972 and has since benefited from the IAEA Technical Cooperation (TC) programme. Highlighting the socio-economic impact of the RCA in the region is crucial. Therefore, National RCA Representatives have endorsed an initiative to conduct a social and economic impact assessment of the RCA programme supported under the IAEA TC programme from 2000 to 2023. The results of these assessments will be published and disseminated to RCA State Parties, relevant stakeholders, and the public. This report is one of the planned four reports in the areas of air quality monitoring, food safety, groundwater and nuclear medicine.

This publication describes the work undertaken by Working Group 6: Biosphere Modelling for Long Term Safety Assessments of Waste Disposal Facilities of the IAEA’s Modelling and Data for Radiological Impact Assessments (MODARIA II) programme (2016–2019). The objective of this publication is to provide updated guidance for addressing the biosphere in undertaking post-closure safety assessments for solid radioactive waste disposal, building on the original BIOMASS methodology published in 2003. The intended audience includes regulators and organizations responsible for assessing and reviewing safety assessments and assessors and modellers involved in a range of radiological studies within the nuclear industry.

This report evaluates the social and economic impacts of air quality monitoring programmes implemented from 2020 to 2024, supported by the IAEA under the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA). It is one of four thematic assessments examining the application of nuclear science and technology in air quality monitoring, food safety, isotope hydrology and nuclear medicine.

Focusing on air quality monitoring, this publication draws on robust evidence from 19 participating State Parties, IAEA administrative data, expert insights, four success stories and a cost-benefit analysis of air quality monitoring initiatives. It highlights how technical cooperation projects leveraging nuclear science and technology on benefits of air quality monitoring have contributed meaningfully to sustainable social and economic development across Asia and the Pacific.

This publication not only highlights tangible outcomes but also emphasizes the collective value created beyond what countries could achieve alone. It is a compelling demonstration of science in action—supporting cleaner air, stronger collaboration and lasting regional progress.

Electrostatic accelerators contribute significantly to activities within various fields of work including basic research, environmental monitoring, climate change, water and air quality, forensics, cultural heritage, agriculture, and development of advanced materials for energy production via fission or fusion. Due to an increase in the analytical as well as irradiation capabilities of electrostatic accelerators, there has been a rapid growth in interest from the industrial sector. Different accelerators have their own physical and technological characteristics, and therefore are targeting specific application areas. This publication provides practical guidance, across a range of functions, on low energy electrostatic accelerator operations and maintenance as well as some considerations for safety-related issues. The intended audience of this publication includes professionals involved in the operation and maintenance of electrostatic accelerators, scientists of different disciplines using electrostatic accelerators for interdisciplinary research applications, and lecturers focusing on physics and engineering aspects in the operation of electrostatic accelerators.

This publication contains the latest information on coated particle fuel technologies and may be used as a baseline reference to support the fuel technologies of high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) small modular reactors (SMRs). The HTGR concept is considered a promising nuclear reactor technology due to its inherent safety and operational features. A typical example of its unique core design is the inert, single-phase coolant (helium gas) coupled with a high-temperature, high-heat capacity moderator (graphite), which allows for a greater response time to core heat up accidents. As HTGRs have the potential to supply high temperature process heat, many other applications such as hydrogen production and electricity generation are also viable. Coated particle fuel technology research programmes have been pursued in several Member States, including the design, manufacturing, characterization, irradiation behaviour and behaviour prediction, accident tests and simulations. This TECDOC is a resource for researchers and for nuclear power plant engineers and operators, fuel technology engineers and designers, and material science engineers.

This publication shares the experience gained in the Fukushima Prefecture on environmental transfer data from Japan after the release of radionuclides to the environment from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP (FDNPP). It provides a compilation and analyses of the radioecological information obtained during the cooperation between the IAEA and Fukushima Prefecture between 2012 and 2022. In particular, it examines the behaviour of radiocaesium in freshwater ecosystems and the effectiveness of decontamination and remediation, providing a comparison with global experience. This information is useful for informing the management of areas affected by enhanced levels of radiocaesium after an accidental release from a nuclear facility.

This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the topics discussed at the conference. Over 600 experts, engineers, scientists, government officials and advocates were involved in the event, reaffirming the importance and interest in fast reactor technology. There are currently several fast reactors already in operation, with more under construction and innovative concepts under development. Major technical aspects and topics related to fast reactor and fuel cycle technology were addressed at the conference, including advancements in technology, safety, economics, proliferation resistance, and sustainability.

The growing use of digital technology in the nuclear field has heightened security concerns around the protection of radioactive materials. This publication offers practical strategies for implementing robust information and computer security measures and it underscores the importance of a tailored, graded approach to meet the specific needs of various facilities and organizations. By presenting the latest best practices and risk mitigation strategies, this publication equips stakeholders with the necessary tools to fortify their digital defences and safeguard radioactive material and associated facilities.