ISO 18136-1:2025

Overview

ISO 18136-1:2025 - Automation systems and integration: Nuclear digital ecosystem (NDE) - Part 1: Overview and framework defines a shared conceptual framework for a Nuclear Digital Ecosystem (NDE). It provides the high-level structure and terminology needed to guide information integration and exchange across all reactor-related facilities over their full life cycle. This first part establishes the scope, core elements, and how the NDE framework connects with other standards and practical guidance (annexes include structured representations, examples, existing standards, and guidance on configuration and requirements management).

Key topics and requirements

• Conceptual structure of the NDE: components and relationships arranged by facility type, life cycle stage, and technical management methodology.
• Industry sectors covered: civil, architectural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation & control (I&C), process engineering and ICT.
• Fundamental elements: stakeholders, facility definitions, global governance, life cycle considerations, business requirements, integration, information, ICT infrastructure and services.
• Information dimensions: abstraction levels, form, sensitivity and high-level constituents for each NDE component.
• Integration focus: value chain, project delivery system (PDS), major disciplines and how they interoperate within the NDE.
• Guidance for standards use: instructions to combine this framework with existing ISO and other standards to specify information requirements for different functional purposes (includes identifiers, context diagrams and structured data examples).
• Out of scope: detailed management methodologies/processes and the granular structures or properties of information exchange - these are deferred to subsequent parts in the ISO 18136 series.

Practical applications

• Aligns information management practices across nuclear projects to improve interoperability, traceability and governance.
• Provides a shared vocabulary and high-level model for program managers, system integrators and multidisciplinary engineering teams working on reactor-related facilities.
• Helps ICT vendors, software integrators and data architects design interoperable services and infrastructure that meet nuclear sector requirements.
• Supports regulators, asset owners and operators in assessing conformity of information exchange strategies and in planning lifecycle data management.

Who should use this standard

• Nuclear utilities and plant operators
• Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms and consultants
• ICT and systems integration providers for the nuclear sector
• Regulatory bodies, standards developers and safety authorities
• Project managers and configuration/requirements managers responsible for lifecycle information governance

Related standards

• ISO 18136 series (other parts will specify methodologies and technical guidelines)
• ISO/IEC and IAEA guidance referenced in annexes for practical alignment and implementation

Keywords: ISO 18136-1:2025, nuclear digital ecosystem, NDE, information integration, information exchange, reactor-related facilities, lifecycle, interoperability, ICT infrastructure.