The training of experts from five nuclear power plant laboratories has been completed at the Akkuyu NPP (Türkiye, being constructed by Rosatom) site to prepare the quality management system for accreditation according to the international standard TS EN ISO/IEC 17025.
As required by Turkish law, laboratories of Akkuyu NPP must be accredited by the Turkish Accreditation Agency (TÜRKAK) as per standard TS EN ISO/IEC 17025. The training was conducted by experts from SIGMA, a certified Turkish company specializing in engineering training and regularly conducting trainings for laboratory accreditation according to ISO 17025 both in Türkiye and abroad. 40 Akkuyu Nuclear professionals were trained, including employees of the water chemistry laboratory, individual dosimetric monitoring laboratory, spectrometry and fuel cladding integrity monitoring laboratory, high-voltage testing and equipment diagnostics laboratory, and integrated radiochemical laboratory. The training aimed at improving staff skills and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements was organized at the premises of the Akkuyu NPP Training Center. This allowed to conduct the training course as efficiently as possible and in the on-the-job manner. Completion of training and certification of laboratory personnel will make it possible to proceed to the next stage of accreditation – audit of the quality management system.
"Progressive professional development of personnel is the basis for reliable operation of a nuclear power plant. We are constantly working to improve the skills and develop the expertise of the Akkuyu NPP employees. Staff training according to standard ISO 17025 is one of the key stages of the laboratory accreditation process. At further stages, we will have to undergo an accreditation audit of the quality management system and obtain an authorization from the Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Authority to confirm that the laboratories are ready for routine operation," Akkuyu Nuclear JSC Chief Executive Officer Sergei Butсkikh noted.
