UK National Nuclear Laboratory Secures Nuclear Safeguards Programme Contract

The UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) has been awarded the Nuclear Safeguards Programme (NSP) contract by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The contract has an initial term of 3.5 years with committed funding of £10.5 million, with the possibility of further extensions.

This contract continues the UK's 45 years of support for the global nuclear safeguards system, as well as the UK National Nuclear Laboratory's nearly 20 years of core work within that system. The UK National Nuclear Laboratory's responsibilities include providing technical support to the UK government in the nuclear field and driving the development of the UK's nuclear energy industry. The Nuclear Safeguards Programme is an important platform for fulfilling this responsibility, primarily providing nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation expertise to UK government departments and international partners.

Through the UK's Member State Support Programme (MSSP) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Nuclear Safeguards Programme provides technical, analytical, and training support to the IAEA, assisting it in verifying the peaceful use of nuclear materials globally. The programme also serves the UK's international responsibilities in nuclear non-proliferation, supporting efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

The UK National Nuclear Laboratory also assists the UK in fulfilling its international obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) through the Nuclear Safeguards Programme, and provides technical support to DESNZ and relevant UK government departments, participating in work related to safeguards and non-proliferation policy.

The UK is one of the key contributors to the IAEA's safeguards system, contributing through both financial support and technical capability. The UK National Nuclear Laboratory undertakes a number of specific roles within this framework, including operating IAEA-recognised laboratories, training international inspectors, and seconding experts to the IAEA in Vienna.

Juliana Antrobus, Chief Executive Officer of the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, said the contract award reflects the laboratory's technical strength and the team's commitment to the programme. She stated that nuclear safeguards are not an abstract responsibility but an important way of making a practical contribution to global security, and that the UK National Nuclear Laboratory is proud to continue carrying out this work on behalf of the UK.

Prior to the contract award, the UK received a certificate of appreciation from IAEA Deputy Director General Massimo Aparo at the biennial Coordinators' Meeting in Vienna, in recognition of the UK's 45 years of sustained support for the global nuclear safeguards system. UK National Nuclear Laboratory staff and representatives from DESNZ attended the ceremony.

The UK National Nuclear Laboratory stated that the Nuclear Safeguards Programme contract will continue to underpin the UK's international credibility and influence in nuclear non-proliferation, and reflects its mission of using nuclear science to benefit society.