Nuclear safeguards have formed a key part of European Union policy since its inception and are laid out in chapter VII of the EURATOM Treaty. Nuclear safeguards are measures to ensure that nuclear material is only used for the purposes declared by the users, and that international obligations are complied with.   As such the Commission as guardian of the Treaties is responsible for:

• Collecting and analyzing the information provided by the operators of nuclear installations regarding quantities, location and use made of all nuclear materials.
• The independent verification of operator's declarations through a dedicated team of some 150 nuclear inspectors.
• Ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of international safeguards through its long-standing cooperation with the IAEA.

The Commission obtains the required assurances for nuclear safeguards primarily through the work of a dedicated directorate based in Luxembourg, and consisting of approximately 150 nuclear inspectors.