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WHAT IS ESARDA ?
ESARDA, the European Safeguards Research and Development
Association, is comprised of European organisations actively
involved in the Research and Development of Nuclear Safeguards.
Nuclear Safeguards can be described as a verification system
that works within the framework of international nuclear material
control and non-proliferation. It is applied to maintain the
peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The objective is to make
sure that civil nuclear material, which could otherwise be
used in the fabrication of nuclear weapons, is exclusively
used for peaceful applications.
The control of civil nuclear material is mandatory within
the EU territory in line with the Treaty establishing the
European Atomic Energy Community (“Euratom Treaty”)
which entered into force in 1958. The Treaty on the Non Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force in 1970, provides
for Nuclear Safeguards on a world-wide basis.
The 1960s were a period of intense R&D activity in safeguards,
due to the rapid expansion of nuclear energy production. ESARDA
was created in 1969.
Current members are (*):
AREVA
(France), ATI (Austria), CEA (France), CNCAN (Romania), EDF
(France), ENEA (Italy), European Commission, FZJ (Germany),
HAEA (Hungary), IKI (Hungary), IRSN (France), Ministry of
Economy / MITyC (Spain), NNL (UK), NRI (CZ), NRPA (Norway),
SCK-CEN (Belgium), Sellafield Ltd (UK), SFOE (Switzerland),
Springfields Fuels Ltd (UK), SSM (Sweden), STUK (Finland),
UBA (Germany), UKAEA (UK), VATESI (Lithuania), WKK (Germany).
In addition, ESARDA counts three individual members.
The European Commission represents the European Atomic Energy
Community (EURATOM).
Representatives from other organisations that are not member
parties, amongst them the IAEA, ABACC and INMM, regularly
take part in ESARDA’s activities.
The ESARDA’s network includes national regulatory authorities
(carrying out the controls), operators of nuclear facilities
(those being controlled), and research centres and universities
(carrying out the safeguards-related R&D).
OUR OBJECTIVE
ESARDA's main objective is to assist the European safeguards
community with the advancement of safeguards, enhancing the
efficiency of systems and measures, as well as investigating
how new techniques can be developed and implemented.
We also strive to fulfil an educational role and to reach
the general public and, in particular, those interested in
safeguards.
OUR ACTIVITIES
ESARDA aims to bring together all those involved in safeguards,
so that progress and continuous improvement in international
safeguards can be achieved efficiently and to a professional
standard. The principal issues are co-ordination of research,
exchange of information and joint execution of R&D programmes.
To this end the following activities take place:
1. Annual Meetings and Symposia
These provide an opportunity for collaboration and the exchange
of scientific information. The latest developments and different
perspectives on tackling the challenges in the field are
presented and debated at the meetings, which traditionally
take place in May.
Typically, about 150-250 specialists attend the biennial
open "Symposium on Safeguards and Nuclear Material
Management". Internal or Topical Meetings are also
organised, which address special issues. Approximately 100-150
papers are presented at each symposium. These are later
published in the symposium / meeting proceedings, which
are made available to the general public.
Alternating with open symposia, a biennial internal meeting
takes place where all ESARDA working groups convene and
have the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest
in joint meetings.
2. Working Groups
They are established to promote and undertake collaborative
R&D and information exchange activities in particular
fields. These are either discipline-oriented, such as Destructive
and Non Destructive Assay (analytical chemistry, spectrometry)
and Containment and Surveillance (mechanics, optics, informatics);
facility-oriented, such as MOX Fuel Fabrication and Back
End of Fuel Cycle operations (control process, system analysis);
or ad hoc working groups that address, on a temporary basis,
specific issues such as IAEA Integrated Safeguards, verification
technologies and methodologies (information technologies)
or the auditing of nuclear material accountancy and control.
Training and knowledge management are dealt with by a dedicated
working group focusing on educational issues.
The Working Group Editorial Committee takes care of all
external communication issues in ESARDA, including the publication
of the ESARDA Bulletin and the organisation of biennial
meeting and symposia.
The R&D activities are performed by more than 100 experts
(members or observers of ESARDA) collaborating within the
various working groups.
3. ESARDA Bulletin and web site
In the ESARDA Bulletin, scientific and technical articles
relating to safeguards and verification are published. The
Bulletin includes a dedicated section for peer reviewed
papers, in addition to more general information and news
on ESARDA and its members.
The web site features the latest issues of the Bulletin,
as well as scientific and practical information about the
working groups and symposia. It also contains general information
and reference materials relating to safeguards (Treaties,
etc.). Please visit ESARDA at
http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu/esarda/
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
If you are interested in participating in ESARDA symposia
or meetings (as an individual or as an organisation), please
refer to the website for information. The ESARDA symposia
are open to the public.
ESARDA is open to applications for membership by European
and non-European organisations within the context of the enlargement
process of the EU. Membership is subject to an internal acceptance
procedure.
If your organisation would like to participate in the working
group activities, please send an E-mail to the Secretariat,
describing your organisation’s safeguards research activities
and how it can contribute.
Further information about the Association, Bulletin, meeting
documentation and other reference documents can be found on
the ESARDA website.
(*) the full name of these organisation is displayed in
the section "Parties and members"
The
ESARDA contract |
