Qualification of the Swedish Nuclear Power Supply Chain

Commissioned by the Government Offices of Sweden, the project addresses national functions that strengthen a competitive and secure supply chain.

Purpose and Objectives

The objective of the project is to develop a comprehensive overview of the needs and conditions within the Swedish supplier base in order to meet the quality and certification requirements of the nuclear power sector. The project will result in concrete proposals for methods and working approaches for quality assurance and certification in nuclear supply chains in preparation for upcoming nuclear power investments. In addition, the project will provide recommendations on how continued initiatives can be structured, for example through industry networks, advisory functions, and coordination of certification bodies.

Challenge

A large-scale expansion of nuclear power in Sweden requires a broad and well-qualified supplier base. At the same time, the nuclear sector is characterized by very high requirements for quality, safety, traceability, and regulatory compliance. For many potential suppliers, particularly small and medium-sized industrial companies, the barriers to entry are significant. The state can therefore play an active role in lowering these thresholds without compromising safety.

Solution

The project is carried out in close collaboration with the Nuclear Power Coordination function and Business Sweden, and is based on interviews, international benchmarking, and analysis of existing models. The project will assess the following components:

• Baseline certification: a standardized certification defining a minimum level of requirements.
• Supplier passport: a self-assessment and gap analysis tool enabling suppliers to map compliance with requirements and receive a development plan for qualification.
• Qualification support and training: a system for advisory services related to requirements and certification.
• Gap analyses: comparisons between existing and new nuclear power, as well as with other high-requirement industries such as oil & gas and life sciences.