Compliance with international safeguards is crucial for reactor vendors looking to export their advanced reactors to non-weapon state countries. However, many advanced nuclear firms may not fully appreciate the significance of these safeguards, which are overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This could be due to the fact that compliance with international safeguards is voluntary for most reactor vendors in official nuclear weapon states.
On the other hand, prospective reactor vendors may face difficulties when trying to navigate the complex nuclear regulatory frameworks that govern the industry. They generally understand the role of national safety regulators and the importance of complying with their regulations. However, compliance with international safeguards may pose a greater challenge for these vendors. Failure to adhere to these safeguards could potentially be a dealbreaker for them in their international transactions.