Non-destructive Assay Reference Materials – Facilitating Their Implementation through Training Courses and Topical Workshops

The process of requirements of definition, design, prioritization, fabrication, certification, and application of Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) reference materials is extremely complicated. Additionally, the application of these reference materials to NDA is quite new in Russia. Traditionally, Destructive Assay methods have been relied upon for characterization and measurement of nuclear material. To facilitate the introduction of these concepts to key Russian facilities, the Russian Methodological and Training Center (RMTC) developed a training course in April of 1999, entitled, “NDA Standards.” This course followed 2 topical workshops focused on NDA Standards. The participants of the April training course comprised nearly all of the members of the newly formed “Russian NDA Reference Materials Working Group”. While the course was useful and pertinent, as regulations, procedures, and lessons learned were gathered, it became evident that a revised and updated course structure would be necessary for the 2nd offering of the course in 2000. This paper will describe the initial NDA Standards course, the 2nd course, lessons learned, and future plans of the RMTC to support the implementation of this critical element of MC&A in Russia.