From the IAEA to Algeria: How Russia’s Non-Destructive Testing System Aligns with Global Standards 

In 2022, the Russian community of non-destructive testing professionals found itself in a state of uncertainty: a number of foreign centers operating under ISO 9712 either ceased operations in the country or limited their interactions with Russian clients. For engineers, this meant the risk of losing their recognized qualifications, and for companies, it meant difficulties in certifying the safety of high-risk facilities, ranging from nuclear power plants to transportation infrastructure. The lack of a valid certificate effectively barred specialists from key market segments. 

The industry began responding to this challenge even before the crisis hit. In March 2021, the Rosstandart registry included the “AISK” (Association of Welding and Inspection Inspectors) voluntary certification system, created with the participation of the Society of Mechanical Engineers based at the “Quality” National Center LLC. Its developers deliberately chose not to abandon the existing international framework: the standard is based on the requirements of EN 473 and ISO 9712, retains the familiar three-level qualification model (Levels 1, 2, and 3), and adheres to the principles of independent examination and mandatory practical assessment. In essence, these same approaches have taken on a stable form within the Russian legal system.

For engineers, this means the opportunity to maintain their qualifications within a clear framework without having to travel abroad or face language barriers. The certificate renewal process focuses on verifying actual skills rather than merely the formal aspects of documentation. New professionals can build their careers from the outset in a framework comparable to international practice, while laboratories and service companies can demonstrate to clients an independent assessment of their staff’s competencies. 

Yulia Grigorieva was the key driver behind these changes. A team called “AISK” formed around her, bringing together expertise in the fields of non-destructive testing, education, and complex project management. Her background includes three advanced degrees in geography, education, and mechanical engineering, international certifications in non-destructive testing, and the development of proprietary methods for inspecting welded joints. This set of skills allows her to view certification not as a bureaucratic procedure, but as an integral part of the production system: a tool that helps align regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and the day-to-day work of engineers on-site. 

Prior to launching AISK, Grigorieva focused on analyzing operational processes and optimizing procurement for major Russian companies in the telecommunications and industrial sectors. Working with extensive supply chains and infrastructure susceptible to disruptions required the development of comprehensive solutions—ranging from regulatory frameworks and logistics to digital systems that track and support the entire equipment lifecycle. This experience formed the basis for the architecture of the new certification system, in which not only the exams themselves but also the transparency of all related procedures are important. 

Another key area of her work involves international projects. Since the late 2000s, Yulia Grigorieva has participated in IAEA events and specialized conferences on non-destructive testing, where issues related to personnel training, the establishment of training centers, and the development of testing infrastructure are discussed. From 2017 to 2024, she was involved in projects to launch educational programs on non-destructive testing in developing countries, helping to adapt training courses to local operating conditions and available equipment.  

During this period, the free online platform NDT Alphabet was developed and launched, designed to provide basic training and self-study resources for NDT professionals. The resource contains training materials, reference data, and examples of typical defects, and instructors and students from Africa and Asia use it as one of the few available sources of systematic knowledge on approaches adopted in international non-destructive testing practice. 

Today, the center headed by Grigorieva works with both Russian companies and international partners. In 2024–2025, a training and certification program was held in Moscow for a group of engineers from Algeria: the participants successfully completed a theoretical course, practical training at actual sites, and a final assessment. The program has been approved by national regulatory authorities, and the certificates issued upon completion are recognized internationally within the professional community, enabling graduates to qualify for projects with high standards of quality and safety.

The educational track continues to develop in parallel with the certification track. The NDT Alphabet is being expanded with new materials, and access to the platform is important both for Russian specialists in regions lacking specialized training centers and for international users who follow international qualification standards. For many, this is effectively the entry point into the non-destructive testing profession. 

In professional circles, AISK is increasingly viewed as a tool for maintaining technological sovereignty in the engineering professions. This does not mean isolating oneself from the global market, but rather the ability to build one’s own infrastructure while remaining aligned with international safety and quality standards. In the case of nuclear power plants, this is particularly critical: lowering training standards directly increases the risk to people and facilities within the engineers’ area of responsibility. 

According to the organizers, more than 1,500 specialists have already completed the AISK certification process, and this number continues to grow as the list of exploration methods and the geographic scope of participants expand. Future plans include further integration with companies’ corporate information systems, as well as the involvement of the system’s experts in the development of international and national regulatory documents. For the industry, this signals that the link between Russian practices and global non-destructive testing standards can be maintained through domestic institutions, rather than relying solely on external infrastructure. 

Against this backdrop, Yulia Grigorieva’s team has ensured that the transition period for oil and gas industry professionals proceeds without lowering professional standards or simplifying competency assessment criteria.  

For establishing a training and certification center for civil aviation personnel in the field of non-destructive testing, Yulia Grigorieva was awarded the Russian Federation Government Prize in Education (2022). Previously, in 2020, the Russian Ministry of Education and Science expressed its gratitude to her for ensuring the training and certification of personnel in this field. 

The system built around “AISK” enables engineers to continue working in complex industries, allows companies to demonstrate compliance with safety requirements, and provides regulators with clear and reproducible mechanisms for verifying qualifications.