Overview of projects and activities related to the EBS processes, carried out as part of the 5. and 6. EURATOM Framework programmes (1998-2006)

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the European Commission's R and D activities in the area of 'Radioactive Waste Disposal' and in particular those pertaining to Engineered Barrier Systems, under two successive Framework Programmes, 5. (1998-2002) and 6. (2002-2006) of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). The work and major results of some of the projects supported by the European Commission (EC) and related to the 'EBS process issues' of the present workshop will be briefly presented. The paper also highlights the conclusions of the CLUSTER EDZ international conference and workshop on the impact of the excavation damaged zone on the performance of geological repositories, held on 3-5 November 2003, in Luxembourg. Finally, the introduction of specific instruments such as Integrated Projects (IPs) in the research supported by the EC in sixth Framework Programme FP6 (2002-2006), in order to contribute to the creation of the European Research Area (ERA), will be presented. NF PRO is one of these projects. It is making steps towards integration of research in the specific field of 'near field processes' in Europe. (author)