This Viewpoint discusses the importance of defining an accurate local content ratio for nuclear programs in emerging countries. The authors explore the dimensions along which local content ratios could be defined and discuss key areas to consider in establishing a robust, applicable methodology. Local content policies are understood as a set of policy instruments used to ensure that a certain proportion of factors such as labor, supplies of goods and services, or technology are sourced from within the domestic economy. Policy makers design and implement various measures to achieve and incentivize localization, which can be mapped to four main objectives: developing the local workforce, increasing the participation of domestic industries, expanding the local equity and presence, and transferring technology and intellectual property.
