Analysis of core quality criteria and requirements for high-level waste disposal R&D based on the US NQA-1 and Korea KEPIC-QAP

This study presents the key quality criteria and requirements as well as an implementation plan for R&D related to the disposal of high-level waste. From the results of the analysis based on NQA-1 and KEPIC-QAP, it was found that test control, software control, design control and independent review of the report were derived as QA key criteria. In addition, the R&D organization should gradually expand the quality assurance criteria to increase R&D efficiency for licensing the construction of the spent nuclear fuel repository. In order to improve research quality, it is necessary to customize the quality requirements for the organization. That is, from the 18 quality criteria of NQA-1, such factors as the quality requirements of organization and quality assurance program, design and software control, document control, purchasing management, test control, quality assurance records, and audit can be selected as R&D quality assurance criteria. In other words, high-level waste disposal R&D should be performed considering not only nuclear quality standards but also research resources. However, as of yet, legal R&D quality assurance requirements in Korea are not specific and only general standards are presented. •Nuclear quality codes (ASME NQA-1 vs. KEPIC QAP) were compared to analyze the nuclear R&D requirements.•The derived key criteria of R&D quality assurance related to the disposal of high-level waste were document control, test control, software control, and design control.•The key R&D quality assurance criteria should be applied first to improve the R&D performance in Korea.•The R&D QA activities (test reproducibility procedures, S/W verification and validation methods, independent review process of QA documents, and the design conformity check process of HLW repository) were identified as important QA behaviors.•According to the analysis of QA activities, R&D quality assurance perspectives such as originality, accuracy, reproducibility, and traceability should be reflected in test/experimental procedures.