Proposal for new legislation covering radioactive waste management in the EU

The objective of the proposed legislation is to bring about progress towards the safe long-term management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. While the emphasis of the directive is on high-level waste - including spent nuclear fuel that is to be disposed of directly - it does cover all forms of radioactive waste and all spent nuclear fuel regardless of the management route followed (reprocessing, storage or direct disposal). The directive requires that each member state establish a clearly defined programme for radioactive waste management covering all radioactive waste under its jurisdiction and covering all stages of management including disposal. In particular, the programme shall specify an approach to long-term management and disposal with a definite timetable for each step of the process. Where there is no suitable alternative to disposal available, a small number of decision points must be included in the programme. The member states must report at regular intervals on their programmes and the commission, with the help of national experts, will review these reports and publish its own report on the situation regarding radioactive waste management in the Union. The proposal is presently being discussed in the European Council and in the European Parliament. It is expected to be adopted before the end of 2003. (orig.)