Safely managing Radioactive Wastes: Case of Romania

The Romanian agency for radioactive waste (ANDR) is supported by the IAEA in its efforts to find disposal solutions for spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste arising in Romania, since its establishment in 2004. During the last two decades, IAEA support aimed to facilitate national dialogue and to strengthen the capacity of Romanian scientists to address spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management issues, including: a) assessing ANDR's-making process and consensus among key stakeholders on development of policy and strategy; b) assessing the completeness of activities performed in last 20 years for developing a new near surface disposal facility (Saligny site characterization; monitoring, data procurement plan, conceptual design, safety case documentation for getting the siting license application); and c) training Romanian experts to plan and implement solutions for safe management of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RW). The following results were achieved through the contribution of IAEA support: a) increased confidence in development programme of a new near surface disposal facility (NSDF); b) roadmap established for development programme of a deep geological repository (DRG) facility; c) increased public awareness in safe management of SNF and safe management of RW; d) increased capacity of Romanian experts to address SNF and RW management issues; d) equipment and software procured. In order to further consolidate the results and sustain the momentum already achieved, the IAEA should continue its support to Romania, with technical assistance offered by the IAEA being beneficial to: a) improve the safe management of institutional radioactive waste; b) support further development of license application for the NSDF; and c) implement the programme of a DGR facility. (author)