Year
2006
Abstract
The implementation of the state evaluation process and integrated safeguards have led to new developments in the evaluation of inspection measurement data. Recently, the traditional material balance evaluation process, which is carried out for bulk-handling facilities with an inventory or throughput of at least one significant quantity (SQ), and provides information about the operator accountancy and measurement system, the inspector verification system, and the detection probability for the possible diversion of one SQ, has been extended to include analyses of trends for various components of the material balance. These trend analyses are performed for all kind of facilities, for sites, and for States as a whole. In combination with, inter alia, environmental sampling results, specific facilities, locations or processes can be identified, for which detailed process flow assessments need to be made. The combined evaluation results provide information about missing material (quantities involved could be much less than one SQ) over a period much longer than the timeliness period or about the presence of undeclared activities. Several examples will be given to illustrate these new developments. In addition, some potential new analytical techniques for environmental sampling will be mentioned.