scope:

This Recommended Practice is intended for qualification of new technologies where failure poses risk to life, property or the environment, or alternatively presents high financial risk. A process for qualification of computer software is included in App. D.

Guidance note:

Even though individual components in a system might be proven, if they are assembled in a novel way, the system as a whole may be considered to be a new technology. Equally, proven technology in a new environment is considered new technology.

This Recommended Practice can also be useful for the qualification of technologies that are not new, particularly when the best way to qualify them against the existing requirements or standards is not obvious.

Technology qualification is normally preceded by a concept development stage and an evaluation stage, in which the main principles for its evaluation are determined. These principles should be fed into the Technology Qualification Process via the Technology Qualification Basis (Sec.6).