Radioactive waste management regulation in Kazakhstan

This paper presents the current matters of radioactive waste management in Kazakhstan. Major factors, by which the radioactive waste in Kazakhstan is formed, are: enterprises of nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining and milling activity and geological exploration of uranium; nuclear power plant and research reactors; residues of atmospheric and underground nuclear explosions, which were conducted for military and peaceful purposes at the different test sites; mining and milling of commercial minerals accompanied by radioactive substances; using of radioactive sources in industry, medicine, agriculture and scientific research. Since 1991, after getting of sovereignty creation of own legislative basis of the country for the field of atomic energy use started. It includes laws, rules and standards for radioactive waste management, protection of personnel, population and environment, and also International conventions and treaty. Applicable system of state regulation in this area, including the central regulatory body in the field of atomic energy use and various ministries and committees, was created. As a result of these reforms, regulatory activities were improved in the Republic of Kazakhstan.