The aim of the publication is to provide an overview on the current knowledge, up to date best practices, experiences, benefits and challenges related to the subject approaches on instrumentation and control (I&C) systems life cycle management. This includes the coordination of life cycle management methods applied to I&C systems and those applicable to any safety systems that they might interconnect or otherwise interface with. The report is intended to be used by Member States to ensure that appropriate considerations are made to support the introduction of life cycle management approaches for all relevant stakeholders involved in the development of I&C for nuclear facilities and to discuss how these activities can support their safe, reliable and long-term operation. The publication is intended for all personnel involved in the design, development, verification and validation, manufacturing, licensing, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plant instrumentation and control systems and equipment.

This publication draws together the experience of Member States in the evaluation, management and remediation of legacy trench sites. It describes the overall process necessary to facilitate such projects. The publication provides the reader with an understanding of how to characterize, assess and potentially remediate such sites as well as providing guidance on management aspects such as decision making and engaging with stakeholders. A key aim is to highlight specific issues associated with these sites, which make them different from other contaminated sites, and to direct the reader to relevant guidance. Case studies to illustrate legacy trench sites, which either have been or are in various stages of assessment and remediation are also presented. Relevant experience and lessons learned for these sites is embedded throughout the publication.

Part of a series to inform nuclear facility designers, vendors, operators and State governments about IAEA safeguards and how associated requirements can be considered early in the design phase of a new nuclear facility, this publication is applicable to the design of radioactive waste management programmes covering both facilities and waste forms. The potential to reduce costs, avoid retrofits and achieve efficiencies, both for the operator and for IAEA Member States, are important drivers for the early consideration of safeguards in the design of a radioactive waste management programme. This early consideration is recommended as radioactive waste management programmes are one of the few places where safeguards on nuclear material may be terminated under certain circumstances. The publication is intended primarily to be of use to waste management professionals for any facilities that handle safeguarded nuclear materials; policy makers responsible for waste management decisions; safeguards professionals involved in the application of safeguards to waste packages and facilities at the State or International level.

This publication describes the basic principles and elements that will support the development of a national policy and associated strategies on the management of NORM residues and wastes. The basic principles include aspects related to safety, sustainability and circularity and are in line with the relevant IAEA Safety Standards as well as with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The publication also provides insights on key policy elements, such as assignment of regulatory responsibilities; establishment of a national NORM residue and waste inventory, as a basic tool to inform supporting strategies; assurance of infrastructure; funding needs; mechanisms for public participation, and coordination with other related national policies and strategies.

Radioactive waste arises with all uses of nuclear technologies and requires disposal for its safe long-term management. Site investigations to inform disposal site selection, design, environmental and safety assessment is central to implementing any disposal facility. This publication provides guidance on requirements-driven management of a site investigation programme for disposal and presents a broad range of tried-and-proven technologies used to conduct investigations and obtain required site data. Investigation approaches specific to different types of host rocks are presented and case studies on issues and challenges dealt with by Member States provide lessons learned. This publication will be of interest to senior decision makers, scientists and engineers, technical support organisations and regulatory authorities involved in disposal of radioactive waste.

Implementation of a geological disposal programme for radioactive waste is a major undertaking. Consideration must be given to the long time over which the programme operates, the technical assurance which needs to be demonstrated to ensure long term safety and security, and the socially and politically sensitive nature of radioactive materials management. This publication provides a roadmap for developing and implementing a geological disposal programme for spent nuclear fuel declared as waste, high level, and intermediate level waste. It identifies the important components and sequences of activities that are the responsibility of the implementing organization to construct and operate a geological disposal repository in a manner consistent with existing international experience. The publication also provides information on how several advanced programmes have progressed along their respective roadmaps toward siting, constructing, and operation a geological repository.

This publication addresses the main challenges related to the sustainable operation and effective utilization of a research reactor. Clarity on the vision, mission, and purpose of a research reactor is directly related to understanding the optimization of its availability and reliability. The practices of interest discussed are generally within the domain of the research reactor operating organization and involves operating activities and management systems. The scope includes the attributes of different management systems, related practices and the activities that have proven their value through demonstrated performance excellence in several Member States. It provides a high-level summary of the key activities supporting availability and reliability, provides examples of good practices of operating research reactors in Member States, and references to additional IAEA publications, where applicable, for more comprehensive details. This publication is intended for research reactor designers, operators, regulators, and other stakeholders as guidance for improving operation and maintenance practices of research reactors.

This publication provides detailed information for operating organizations of research reactors on methodologies to manage existing and potential ageing effects and the degradation of structures, systems and components. Practical guidance is presented on managing the effects of ageing on civil structures, on mechanical, electrical and instrumentation and control systems, and on reactor components important for safety and operation. This publication also provides information on how to establish and implement an effective and systematic ageing management programme, including the management of modifications, modernizations and refurbishments. Several practical examples of successful ageing management programmes executed in operating research reactors are included as annexes.

The decision to develop a nuclear power programme is a significant undertaking by any country. In preparing the necessary nuclear power infrastructure, there are numerous activities that must be completed in a timely manner in line with the objectives of the nuclear power programme. This publication defines three milestones in the development of the infrastructure necessary for introducing nuclear power and provides guidance on the activities that need to be carried out before each milestone. This new revision incorporates the experiences and feedback from several countries which have already completed or progressed significantly in all three phases. It also includes an annex for outlining the specific infrastructure considerations for Small Modular Reactors, which are expected to be deployed in a number of countries in the coming years. This publication is principally for decision-makers, advisers and senior managers in government, utilities and regulatory bodies in Member States interested in introducing nuclear power.

Ionization Chamber Smoke Detectors (ICSDs) contain relatively small amounts of radioactive material and pose little hazard on an individual basis, even when disposed of in municipal landfills. However, many Member States have taken the decision to collect all or many of their country's disused ICSDs in one or more locations. This often leads to the need for ICSDs to be managed as radioactive waste. The objective of this publication is to provide an overview of the management options for the ICSDs declared disused. It presents information on a variety of ICSD models. The approach and examples for landfill disposal of household ICSD, as consumer products exempted from regulatory control is discussed. It presents the management options for disused ICSD once they have been collected. Various options for the safe management of disused ICSDs are covered including advantages and disadvantages, based on Member State infrastructure and IAEA guidance and international safety standards.

Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is an economic appraisal tool which can be used to inform an investment decision, for instance, the construction of a nuclear power plant. In a CBA, the costs and benefits are accounted for as fully as possible, allowing estimation of the net economic benefit associated with the project relative to a without-the-project scenario, or an alternative investment proposal. This publication suggests an approach for conducting a CBA for a nuclear newbuild project as part of a feasibility study. It presents a CBA framework which is built around four key steps to characterize a project: the project’s objectives, alternatives to the project, and the broad context; a financial analysis, including estimates of costs and profitability; an economic analysis, taking a broader view to include additional benefits and costs to society; and a sensitivity and risk analysis to assign a confidence level to key financial and economic indicators and identify the circumstances in which the project will generate value. The publication includes a case study to illustrate the framework’s application and describes, for example, the methodology used for valuing environmental benefits, such as emissions and pollution reduction. The publication is aimed at all stakeholders involved in the planning and decision-making on a nuclear new build project.

Improved fuel reliability means reduced fuel failures in reactor operation. Fuel failures, with their consequent adverse impact on the environment and requirements for additional waste management, result in costs for remediation, 'failed core' operation and maintenance. Therefore, poor performance of fuel can lead to uncompetitive operational conditions for a nuclear power plant. A revision of the earlier edition, this publication has been significantly extended to support nuclear fuel designers, manufacturers, reactor operators, and fuel engineers and managers on fuel design and design changes, fuel manufacturing, qualification, in-reactor operation, and on-site services to achieve excellence in fuel reliability and performance and safe operation of nuclear fuel under all applicable plant states.