Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 22, South Korea's SMART100 small modular reactor (SMR) design is set to become the first SMR worldwide to formally submit a Safeguards Technical Report (STR) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) announced.

The layout of a SMART100 power plant

KAERI said: "This milestone marks a significant step in ensuring that future SMRs incorporate international nuclear safeguards from the earliest stages of design, under the IAEA's safeguards by design (SBD) concept." The institute highlighted that early integration of safeguards helps verify nuclear material efficiently while reducing design modifications later in the development process.

The IAEA has promoted safeguards by design for SMRs through its Member State Support Programme (MSSP), which was launched in 2018. The initiative integrates safeguards with safety, security, and economic considerations. Among 24 member states providing extrabudgetary contributions to MSSP, 10 support the IAEA in evaluating a range of SMR types, including land- and marine-based integral pressurized water reactors, molten salt reactors, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, lead-cooled fast reactors, and microreactors.

KAERI noted that SMART100 leads in this effort. Following its standard design approval in 2024 for advanced safety and improved economics, SMART100 is now also pioneering safeguards integration. The STR submission later this year is expected to be the first such submission among SMRs under development, construction, or operation globally.

Chae Young Lim, Senior Vice President of the SMART Export Promotion Group at KAERI, said: "SMART100 is both a demonstration of Korea's advanced reactor technology and a commitment to transparency and international trust. By integrating safeguards considerations into the design from the beginning, we are setting a precedent that will benefit future SMR developers."

Jae Sung Lee, Task Officer for SBD for SMRs at the IAEA, added: "The IAEA is pleased to begin its internal process to finalise the STR submitted by the Republic of Korea, which represents the first task output of its kind. It is particularly important to note that the SBD is increasingly being integrated into SMR licensing processes in many countries."

The STR will be reviewed to ensure SMART100 can be effectively safeguarded once deployed, covering nuclear material accountancy, inspection access, and design information verification. This approach is expected to reduce regulatory uncertainty, streamline deployment timelines, and strengthen international non-proliferation confidence.

KAERI said: "As the first SMR to attain both safety and safeguards recognition at the international level, SMART100 is widely seen as a reference model for subsequent SMR projects worldwide. Its progress demonstrates the feasibility of aligning advanced nuclear design with international standards on safety, security, and non-proliferation — key elements for the global expansion of SMR deployment."

The SMART100 (System-integrated Modular Advanced Reactor 100) is an advanced version of the original SMART design, the first SMR to receive standard design approval in 2012. With 365 MW thermal and 110 MW electrical output, it supports electricity generation and thermal applications such as seawater desalination. The reactor features a fully passive safety system capable of maintaining cooling without external power, ensuring safe shutdown during emergencies. SMART100 is designed for a 60-year life with a three-year refueling cycle and is actively considered for international deployment, particularly in countries seeking low-carbon, flexible, and off-grid energy solutions.