Draft summary

This document establishes the organizational, design, construction, operational, and quality-assurance requirements applicable to heterogeneous, thermal-spectrum research reactors with power levels up to several tens of megawatts. It defines the minimum expectations for management structure, project governance, safety culture, quality assurance, documentation control, and lifecycle oversight necessary to ensure safe, compliant, and effective reactor operation. The document applies to new research reactors and, where practicable, to existing or legacy reactors using a graded approach consistent with IAEA SSR-3[6] and IAEA SSG-22.[10] It addresses administrative and operational controls, procurement and inspection processes, training and qualification, radiation protection, and change management throughout the reactor lifecycle, including modifications and decommissioning. This document does not prescribe detailed technical design specifications; rather, it provides the framework within which such specifications are developed, reviewed, and controlled. Additional guidance may be required for reactors exceeding the stated power range or for specialized reactor types such as fast-spectrum systems or facilities incorporating advanced experimental features.