Reducing Enrichment in Research Reactors.

The German program designed to reduce enrichment in research reactors was planned for close international co-operation from the outset. Before the objectives of the program were defined for good, representatives of the Federal Republic of Germany had worked with INFCE and IAEA groups, which experience allowed the program to be based in an optimum fashion on internationally recognized requirements. Close international collaboration on the purposes and the execution of the program was initiated with the United States, Argentina, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. Since 1978, international meetings have been held annually to discuss the status and the advances of the program. All fuels eligible for operation with low-enriched fuel materials in research reactors have meanwhile been studied. After the very extensive qualifications of these fuels no further qualification tests are required in the Federal Republic of Germany.