|
|
|
|
John Renouf
Manager, Contracts
Urenco Enrichment Company Ltd.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“Working in the ASTM environment to develop international standards gives me the satisfaction of contributing to the greater good of the nuclear industry.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
Who is your current employer and what is your current position? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
I am Manager, Contracts, at Urenco Enrichment Company Ltd., based in Marlow, U.K. In this role I have responsibility for Urenco’s contracts with Asian nuclear electric utilities, and I also have a technical logistics function, and am responsible for (among other things) matters relating to material specification. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
Where did you obtain your undergraduate/ graduate degree(s) and in what fields? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
I graduated with a B.Sc. (Honors) in chemical technology at the Polytechnic of the South Bank (now South Bank University) in London. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
When and why did you become involved in ASTM International? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
I first became involved with ASTM work in 1985 when I became the secretary of an internal working group formed to discuss developments about relevant ASTM standards and their potential impact on my company’s business. In 1992 I became Urenco’s representative at ASTM when the previous representative left the company. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
In which committees are you active? Are you a committee officer; if so, what group or groups? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
I am active in Committee C26 on the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, and I was second vice-chairman of the committee for six years. I am principally involved with Subcommittee C26.02 on Fuel and Fertile Material Specifications. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
How do you apply ASTM standards in your work? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
The ASTM standard specifications for the material that Urenco receives for processing, and the product that we produce, are both recognized as the international standards for such materials. As a result, Urenco’s adherence to these standards guarantees that we are entirely consistent with the operations of all the other commercial nuclear fuel cycle facilities in the world. In addition, there are standard test methods and guides covering sampling techniques and analysis methods that are adopted as good industry practice. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
Apart from using standards, are there advantages to participating in standards development? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
Yes, ASTM meetings give me an opportunity to meet with other technical representatives from suppliers and receivers of our product and also our competitors in an atmosphere of technical cooperation with the objective of reaching consensus on material specifications. This is a very useful forum for keeping up with developments in the industry. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
What are some of your favorite aspects of your job? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
Dealing with different Asian cultures and a wide range of customer requirements is challenging and demanding but very interesting and rewarding. In addition, working in the ASTM environment to develop international standards gives me the satisfaction of contributing to the greater good of the nuclear industry. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
Are there advantages that you can identify that result from having an understanding of standards? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
Working with standards generates a keen awareness of the need for attention to detail. This attention is very important when working for demanding customers in a heavily regulated industry with a high-value product resulting from a high-tech process. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. |
|
Are there any words of wisdom that you can offer to professionals starting out in your field? |
|
|
|
|
|
A. |
|
When working with foreign customers, invest some time in learning about their customs and culture. They will appreciate you more for the interest that you show in their way of life. Also, if published standards are important to your work, invest some time and effort in getting involved with their development and so better represent your company's interests at an important international level.
2007
|
