Standardizing the International Nuclear Community: Lessons learnt from the Aerospace Industry Greg Kaser Senior Project Manager WNA Can you briefly explain the project which you are currently working on with the Performance Review Institute (PRI) and SAE International? What are the drivers behind this Internationalization project? WNA is looking at whether lessons can be learnt from other industries in terms of quality control. The aerospace sector shares several attributes with the nuclear industry: rigorous safety regulation, high reliability of equipment and components, global presence where an incident can resonate worldwide. SAE International and PRI support an industry-managed global quality control system for aerospace. Other industries, such as rail transportation and medical instrumentation are also interested in what has been achieved in aerospace. Key nuclear technology vendors see an opportunity to put in place an internationally consistent, common core of quality management standards and process guidance that offers suppliers greater clarity and more efficient certification and oversight. We are looking at issues such as product realization and conformity acceptance procedures, the grading of safety significant items, and the designation of critical manufacturing processes, performance metrics, knowledge management and supplier education. In parallel there is an initiative by the Nuclear Quality Standard Association to develop a nuclear quality management standard that builds on the widely adopted ISO 9001 standard. WNA is also involved with this development. 5th Annual Nuclear Supply Chain Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina Evaluate cost-reduction strategies to streamline your supply chain operations for the global marketplace Expert speakers from Exelon, Luminant, FirstEnergy, Eskom, PSEG and NRC , as well as over 150 over the world’s leading supply chain professionals in attendance May 5-6, Hilton Charlotte City Centre www.nuclearenergyinsider.com/ nuclear-supply-chain-conference
Have you outlined any end objectives yet? The objective of WNA’s work on vendor oversight and control of suppliers (VOCS) is to gain on consensus around an industry-driven quality management system that leads to fewer non-conformances, reduced re-work and a stronger focus on product realization. How much have you learnt from the CORDEL Working Group? Are there any points which you would like to communicate to the industry at the moment? WNA’s CORDEL Working Group on licensing and the Supply Chain Working Group share a common philosophy that the harmonization of codes and standards will generate benefits for the nuclear industry. Through these working groups WNA is analysing the degree to which regulatory requirements may be aligned for licensing and permitting, is reviewing the processes used by vendors for quality management and supplier oversight, and documenting good practice to help the standards development organizations promote the convergence of standards and suppliers to receive clear requirements and guidance on how to meet the standards. At this time our work is on-going and WNA welcomes participation from companies in the civil nuclear industry in its working groups. Information on how to contact WNA can be found on the website: wwwworld-nuclear.org. www.nuclearenergyinsider.com