Position of the European Communities and Belgian concerning the problems raised by radioactive waste

The first part of this article which concerns the position of the Communities regarding radioactive waste management, illustrates their progressive awareness of the special problems posed as compared to their previous consideration of the subject in the general context of radiation protection. Since the early 70's, the Communities' programme has been oriented towards strengthening research in waste management and in 1975, the European Parliament proposed the creation of a joint undertaking for such management. This is still in the form of a study prepared by the Commission of the European Communities. The author stresses the need for common action by Member countries to organise waste management in the framework of the Communities. The following part describes Belgian legislation applicable to all stages of radioactive waste management. The author stresses that, despite the detailed regularoty mechanism, there is a need for establishing a body responsible for controlling observance of regulatory measures in this field. (NEA)