Call For Regulators Worldwide To Help Combat Counterfeit Components
Written by NucNet
Thursday, 24 April 2008
24 Apr (NucNet): The chief US nuclear regulator has called for
increased sharing of information with regulatory bodies worldwide to
combat the potential use of counterfeit or substandard equipment at
nuclear plants.
Dale Klein, chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), said in a speech to academics yesterday: "I have suggested in meetings with regulators from other nations that we establish more extensive channels of communication to share information about any component or equipment that may be substandard, counterfeit, inadequate or inappropriate to a nuclear power plant.
"Regulatory agencies and industry would benefit from sharing this data under normal circumstances, but it seems to me even more critical during the current worldwide push to build new plants."
Mr Klein said he was concerned about whether there is sufficient quality assurance and control over the "myriad elements that go into building a modern nuclear reactor". He said regulatory scrutiny of major components manufacturers does not always apply with the same intensity to the sub-vendors that supply parts and materials to the manufacturers.
Earlier this month, the NRC reminded US reactor licence applicants and nuclear power plant operators of their responsibility "to prevent counterfeit parts from posing a safety concern". However, the NRC stressed that although it was aware of two counterfeit part incidents from 2007, neither had affected plant safety.
- by John Shepherd
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
US Regulators Remind Operators Of 'Counterfeit Parts' Guidance (News in Brief No. 43, 9 April 2008)
NRC Chairman Highlights Possible Roadblocks To Nuclear Revival (World Nuclear Review No. 29, 20 July 2007)
