Nuclear waste management in Switzerland - survey and status of activities

Major problems in nuclear waste management have been solved unnoticed by the general public. Registration and characterization of radioactive waste arisings and their interim storage are routine steps. The waste arising is now converted into a product resistant to leaching, i.e. conditioned, which product is fit for permanent underground storage at some later point in time. The new Nuclear Power Act, which entered into force on February 1, 2005, imposes clear political boundary conditions on the solution to be found for the geologic underground storage of radioactive waste. After some thirty years of studies and research, comprehensive knowledge and a basis for decisionmaking have been elaborated for this final step in the waste management chain. The demonstration of high-level waste disposal facilities filed in late 2002 constitutes conclusive basic proof of permanent, safe management of all radioactive waste in Switzerland. A region for siting a high-level waste disposal facility has been proposed which has clear geological advantages over other options identified and found to be feasible before. Designing and building the required geologic repositories is not only a technical but also a political challenge. The federal authorities are obliged to define, at an early point in time, process steps and criteria so as to establish a politically acceptable site selection procedure. A technical plan on geologic repositories is under preparation. It ensures, in particular, the early involvement of cantons, municipalities and authorities also of neighboring countries as well as that of the public and of stakeholder organizations. On the basis of the criteria spelt out in the technical plan, a management program for all waste categories is to be submitted to the Federal Council immediately for approval. The technical basis is now available, allowing the design and construction of the required facilities to be carried out without delay. (orig.)