Enhancing the Safeguards Analytical Laboratory: Concept and Design

In June 2008, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched a project titled Enhancing Capabilities of the Safeguards Analytical Services (ECAS) in order to address its future needs for safeguards analytical services and in particular to modernise and upgrade the IAEA Safeguards Analytical Laboratory (SAL), located in Seibersdorf, Austria. SAL consists of a Nuclear Materials Laboratory built in 1976 and a Clean Laboratory for Safeguards which began operation in 1996. Since 2007, with support from Member State experts, the IAEA has been developing a concept and design for the future SAL. This presentation outlines the scope of the project, the design and concept of the future SAL, and the present status of the project. The paper also describes the future evolution of safeguards analytical services in view of the expanding application of additional protocols to safeguards agreements and the transition to integrated safeguards.