Safety criteria for repositories

The safe final storage of radioactive waste, especially for extremely long periods of time, is a challenge to waste management in terms of the observance of given goals of protection. There is international consensus about the goals of protection in the final storage of radioactive waste. Framework conditions have been established for the construction, operation, and post-operational phases of repositories. Although national developments of these framework conditions have differed in some respects, they are based on the general principles and objectives of the final storage of radioactive waste. It is especially the criteria implementing these framework conditions which are in need of revision and more precise definition in Germany. Experience with site-specific safety analyses of the post-operational phase of repositories clearly shows the need for further development of the safety criteria. Moreover, an evaluation should be made and, if applicable, harmonization should be sought, in an international comparison of criteria. In this connection, the international convention on radioactive waste under development at the IAEA is of special interest. (orig.)