MATERIAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTANCY FOR NUCLEAR SECURITY AT FACILITIES

Accounting and control of nuclear material in use, storage, production, and transport is an essential element of any comprehensive nuclear security system. An effective material control and accounting system at a facility should assist in preventing the theft of nuclear material as a result of “insider” activities and should provide timely information about all nuclear material that make it possible to determine if a theft has occurred by any adversary. On the basis of this information, the respective nuclear security response should be planned to interrupt the “insider” activities and/or recover nuclear material stolen as a result of “insider” or “outsider” activities. Nuclear security requirements for the Material Control and Accountancy (MC&A) system at a facility should be coordinated with and complement the requirements of the facility’s physical protection system to detect and prevent the unauthorized removal of nuclear material (e.g., as a legal shipment). Because of the importance of this issue, the International Atomic Energy Agency is preparing a facility-level MC&A technical guidance document for nuclear security. This document will provide the operators of different types of facilities with practical recommendations such as, addressing timeliness and MC&A sensitivity requirements to facilitate the development of MC&A systems designed to minimize the risk of theft, unauthorized production, or alteration of nuclear material by “insiders” or “non-State actors.” Development of international guidance on application of MC&A for nuclear security purposes is a new and challenging task that will require new methods and approaches, such as vulnerability assessments of MC&A systems, including the analysis of possible adversary scenarios, and development of requirements for sensitivity and timeliness of MC&A systems. Also necessary are limitations on measurement uncertainties at facilities, frequent evaluation of nuclear material balance, and performance testing of MC&A systems. The importance of prompt resolution of MC&A inconsistencies will be highlighted, as well as potential initiation of response measures.