Session II-L. International waste management

The following papers were presented at this session: (1) international activities in the development and implementation of disposal of nuclear wastes; (2) US perspective on international cooperation on radioactive waste management; (3) waste management programmes in the United Kingdom; (4) Canadian nuclear fuel waste management program; (5) nuclear waste program in Sweden; (6) radioactive waste management in France; (7) German waste management policy. The papers presented in this session illustrate both the similarity and the diversity of program approaches to the ultimate disposal of nuclear wastes. Noteworthy is that each of the countries represented is evaluating waste disposal in mined repositories as the major part of its program. In addition, there are similarities in program considerations of the need for long-life designs of packages for high-level waste. In this latter area, however, there are also striking differences in the programs. There are also differences in the institutional arrangements and approaches for addressing nuclear waste management and ultimate disposal. Although there are differences in approach, each country acknowledges that many of the issues to be addressed transcend national boundaries and require a significant measure of international consensus. The papers in this session are presented in the spirit of international exchange and cooperation. Such exchange and cooperation is important to the development of international consensus regarding the safety and acceptability of approaches for the disposal of nuclear waste