Systematic Evidence as the Foundation of Safety
On 25 February, IABG hosted the Experts’ Day on Nuclear Qualification, bringing together around 80 specialists and decision-makers from across the nuclear sector. Representatives from industry, supply chain, engineering organisations, operators as well as regulatory and inspection bodies discussed current qualification challenges and practical approaches to regulatory acceptance.
The central message of the day was clear: “Safety does not happen by chance – it is the result of systematic qualification”, said Wolfgang Jansen, Head of Tests and Analyses, IABG.
Rising Complexity – Increasing Need for Technical Assurance
The nuclear sector is currently facing a combination of developments that significantly raise the demands on qualification strategies:
- Increasing regulatory requirements
- Growing system complexity and interdependencies
- International project environments
- Rising expectations for robust, traceable and defensible evidence
These factors are driving a growing need for reliable technical assurance across the entire lifecycle of nuclear systems — from new build projects and modernisation programmes to long-term operation and decommissioning.
Qualification today must be embedded early in project planning, aligned with regulatory expectations and consistently supported by structured verification concepts.
Industry Perspectives and Practical Case Studies
Technical contributions from leading industry players underlined the practical relevance of systematic qualification approaches. Experts from #Framatome, #Siemens Energy, #AXPO / KKB, #Mirion Technologies and #EKS addressed topics including:
- Environmental qualification of electrical and I&C components
- System qualification under evolving regulatory frameworks
- Regulatory argumentation strategies
- Irradiation testing and ageing management
- Qualification requirements within operational nuclear power plants
IABG specialists complemented these perspectives with in-depth insights into seismic and vibration testing, including realistic signal modelling, coupling effects and the importance of representative test methodologies. Further contributions addressed testing requirements for transport and storage packages for radioactive materials, demonstrating that safety considerations extend well beyond plant boundaries.
Across all presentations, one message remained consistent: qualification must be interdisciplinary, systematically documented and technically reproducible in order to withstand regulatory scrutiny.
Independent Testing and Interdisciplinary Expertise at IABG
As an independent technical partner, IABG supports operators, manufacturers and authorities with:
- Specialised test facilities for environmental, vibration, seismic and structural testing
- Standards-compliant verification and validation procedures
- Development of structured qualification programmes
- Independent assessment and expert reporting
By combining practical testing capabilities with in-depth regulatory understanding, IABG contributes to transforming complex technical requirements into defensible and transparent evidence.
A Platform for Technical Exchange
Beyond the technical programme, the Experts’ Day once again served as a neutral platform for professional exchange within the nuclear community. Cross-industry dialogue and shared experience remain essential in a field where safety depends on precision, transparency and technical rigour.
The event confirmed that systematic qualification is not merely a regulatory obligation — it is a prerequisite for sustainable and credible nuclear safety.