Link to the study - European Parliament - Europa

Policy Department D: Budgetary Affairs
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3.4.5. Regulatory approach
Requirements
German nuclear regulation, as applicable for the EWN project, consists of different levels. In respect to
decommissioning the following framework is relevant 11 :
The phase between shutdown and issuance of the decommissioning permit is regulated as
ongoing operation (post-operational phase). Removal, deconstruction or alternative use of items
that are not relevant for safety is possible and requires the consent of the supervising regulator.
The operator’s overall plan for decommissioning describes the deconstruction phases, the
necessary means and tools and the measures that are foreseen to guarantee the safety of the
public and of the workers. With these documents, together with the environmental impact
study, the operator applies for a permit. Additional underlying documents might be necessary. If
the regulator’s review of these documents ends with a positive finding, the permit is granted
(general decommissioning license). The decommissioning permit spans all phases of the project,
usually adds further license conditions and is not time-limited.
During decommissioning the operator designs, plans and describes sub-projects or work
packages that detail and substantiate the overall plan, in accordance with its general license.
Depending upon practice, the operator has to seek regulatory consent with these plans or has to
apply for formal approval of the supervising agency.
The role of the (general) decommissioning license as an end to the operating license and as a basic
permit to decommission the facility is illustrated in Figure 26.
Figure 26: The decommissioning license under German regulation
Source: Authors
Specific to German regulatory practice is the continued regulatory oversight. It includes sub-project
applications and approvals, on-site control (e.g. expert accompanied inspections, double checking,
etc.), independent assessments (e.g. independent sampling, exemplary proof by second party). The
necessary approval processes can be closely adapted to the decommissioning project’s phases and to
their progress.
11
For a comprehensive description of the complete German regulatory framework see: BfS 2009
88