ABSTRACT
In 1958 Japan asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to arrange for the supply of fuel for a small research reactor, thus triggering the first application of IAEA safeguards. In 1963 the Board set about reviewing the 1961 safeguards document. The core of INFCIRC/66/Rev. 2 consists of five sets of safeguards procedures. The document makes no attempt to spell out the technical aims of the procedures that it prescribes or the methods to be used to achieve such aims. Returning now to the three essential methods of verification, the model Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons safeguards agreement describes the use of the first, material accountancy, “as a safeguards measure of fundamental importance”. To put into practice and to verify the results of material accountancy, containment and surveillance all existing safeguards make use today of four procedures, namely design review, maintenance of plant operating records, reports on plant operation and on-site inspections.
