Given a trend towards higher burnup power reactor fuel, the IAEA began an active programme in burnup credit (BUC) with major meetings in 1997 (TECDOC-1013) and 2000 (TECDOC-1241) exploring worldwide interest in using BUC in spent fuel management systems. This publication documents the proceedings of the IAEA’s third major BUC meeting in Madrid in April 2002 on requirements, practices and developments in BUC applications. Fifty-four participants from 18 countries addressed validation of codes and methods, key issues, safety assessment and implementation, and future applications. This meeting encouraged the IAEA to continue its activities on burnup credit including dissemination of related information, given the number of Member States having to deal with increased quantities of spent fuel and extended durations.