Qualified computer codes are required for activities supporting the Nuclear Platform R&D program, and for licensing and analysis support of nuclear facilities, CANDU and research reactors, and decommissioning and waste management. AECL is committed to meeting the requirements of CSA-N286.7-99 of the Canadian Standards Association for analytical, scientific and design (ASD) computer codes applicable to nuclear facilities. Upgrading and maintaining qualification of these codes is an ongoing activity.

The market and regulatory environment in which AECL operates demands that software that AECL uses on any nuclear project must comply with the Canadian, or foreign equivalent, standard for ASD computer programs. Bringing a computer code into compliance can be a lengthy process and therefore needs to be done in advance of the time when the software is required. Considering the growing number of new projects (advanced reactor designs, retube and refurbishment of existing reactors) that will use ASD codes requires that these codes are identified in sufficient time to ensure they are “approved for use” when needed. Our regulator and our customers are watching to ensure such compliance is in place.