International Leadership
KEPCO Nuclear Fuel Company (KNF) announced that the regression analysis-based uncertainty evaluation method it proposed in Feb. 2014 passed the committee draft (CD) stage in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) with eight out of the nine member countries in favor.
The method is characterized by correcting chemical analysis equipment by means of multiple standard materials with different concentrations. Up until now, no methodology has been available with regard to the error evaluation and thus it has been impossible to specify the error ranges of analysis results. Under the circumstances, the KNF has developed its own error evaluation theory based on statistics and made the proposal to the ISO so that industries can make use of its regression analysis calibration method adopting the theory.
In general, an ISO standard establishment procedure is divided into the five steps of new work item proposal (NP), working draft (WD), CD, draft international standard (DIS), and final draft international standard (FDIS). The member countries vote at every stage. The DIS stage for the KNF’s proposal is scheduled for October this year.
In the meantime, three years ago, the KNF proposed a gadolinium content measurement method that it developed. The technique for the analysis of the chemical compositions of gadolinium and uranium contained in a gadolinium pellet was adopted as an international standard after making it through the entire procedure, with 13 member countries unanimously in favor.