Quality Assurance Records System [antikvár]

The demand for energy is continually growing, both in the developed and the developing countries. Traditional sources of energy such as oil and gas will probably be exhausted within a few decades, and present world-wide energy demands are already overstraining present capacity. Of the new sources nuclear energy, with its proven technology, is the most significant single reliable source available for closing the energy gap that is likely, according to the experts, to be upon us by the turn of the century. During the past 25 years, 19 countries have constructed nuclear power plants. More than 200 power reactors are now in opération, a further 150 are planned, and, in the longer term, nuclear energy is expected to play an increasingly important role in the development of energy programmes throughout the world. Since its inception the nuclear energy industry has maintained a safety record second to none. Recognizing the importance of this aspect of nuclear power and wishing to ensure the continuation of this record, the International Atomic Energy Agency established a wide-ranging programme to provide the Member States with guidance on the many aspects of safety associated with thermal neutron nuclear power reactors. The programme, at present involving the préparation and publication of about 50 books in the form of Codes of Practice and Safety Guides, has become known as the NUSS programme (the letters being an acronym for Nuclear Safety Standards). The publications are being produced in the Agency's Safety Series and each one will be made available in separate English, French, Russian and Spanish versions. They will be revised as necessary in the light of experience to keep their contents up to date. The task envisaged in this programme is a considérable and taxing one, entailing numerous meetings for drafting, reviewing, amending, consolidating and approving the documents. The Agency wishes to thank all those Member States that have so generously provided experts and material, and those many individuals, named in the published Lists of Participants, who have given their time and efforts to help in implementing the programme. Sincere gratitude is also expressed to the international organizations that have participated in the work. The Codes of Practice and Safety Guides are recommendations issued by the Agency for use by Member States in the context of their own nuclear safety requirements. A Member State wishing to enter into an agreement with the Agency for the Agency's assistance in connection with the siting, construction,