Safeguards Material Attractiveness Level Criteria—History and Prognosis

Application of the concept of nuclear material attractiveness level as a criterion in grading safeguards and security protection requirements has had a profound effect on the DOE complex. Nuclear material attractiveness level refers to the attractiveness of various forms of material as a target for theft or diversion. Evolution of the attractiveness level concept has progressed from the 5630 series of DOE Orders (1979–1980) to the current orders (DOE O 474.1, 1999) and is still continuing to evolve. Recently, consideration of such issues as material disposition and safeguards termination has affected the attractiveness level concept. The concept has been exported to the Russian Federation as a result of the joint US/Russian MPC&A upgrade program. This paper summarizes the history of the concept, describes its impacts on safeguards systems, and discusses possible future developments.