Euradwaste '08 - EU Bookshop - Europa

SESSION I: Current situation of geological disposal in the EU
Chairman: Dr Hans Forsström, IAEA Vienna
Introduction and objectives
The objective of this session is to set the scene regarding progress towards implementation of sustainable
waste management solutions in the EU Member States. While geological disposal is internationally
recognised as the best option for the final management of high-level and long-lived radioactive
waste, no repository has yet been implemented anywhere in the EU. Nevertheless, Member
States such as France, Sweden, and Finland (the latter having a relatively small nuclear programme)
are well advanced in the development of a definitive solution for such waste and have established
appropriate policies, milestones and endpoints. Conversely, other countries lag far behind
and are yet to establish even a clear political strategy for dealing with this issue.
In line with the competences accorded under the treaties, the European Union can have an important
role to play. This has been bolstered by public support for action at EU level coming from the
results of Eurobarometer surveys. It has led the European Commission, supported by Council conclusions,
to request that each EU Member State establish and keep updated a national programme
for the safe management of all radioactive waste produced in the country.
The session will paint a picture of the current European situation, consider the progress towards
geological disposal made so far in the different countries, and identify success stories and potential
problems and obstacles (policy, economics, public acceptance, etc.) in implementing both strategies
and solutions.
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