Applying International Safeguards to Irradiated Fuel at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is considering the application of international safeguards to a limited quantity of irradiated high-enriched uranium fuel residing at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). Although the IAEA has not yet selected the HFIR for safeguards, a series of technical exchanges between the United States (U.S.) and the IAEA have focused on a proposed safeguards approach that would minimize HFIR operational impacts while satisfying both the IAEA and U.S. mutual goals of nonproliferation.