The IAEA programme on management and disposal of high level waste

The paper presents the major activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the field of the management and disposal of high level radioactive waste, and describes the role of the IAEA in assisting Member States in accomplishing national programmes. The 114 Member States of the IAEA represent a wide range of interests and needs in the field of radioactive waste management. In view of the variety of wastes to be disposed of in a geological repository (i.e. wastes from reprocessing of spent fuel, conditioned spent fuel, research reactor spent fuel and spent radium sources), a very large percentage of the IAEA Member States have an interest in the subject. This is particularly true for many Member States without nuclear power programmes that have a large number of spent radium needles which, because of the radiological toxicity and half-life of radium, will require disposal in a deep geological repository. The role of the IAEA in co-ordinating waste management activities that lend themselves to international collaboration is described. Examples of programmes to foster research and development and mechanisms used to enhance the exchange of information are detailed. The work of the Radioactive Waste Safety Standards (RADWASS) programme in the area of deep geological disposal is provided as an example of IAEA efforts to establish international consensus on the safe management and disposal of radioactive waste. RADWASS documents are planned on various aspects of HLW management and disposal. Other IAEA activities, including international peer review services and special projects, are also discussed in the paper. (author). 2 refs, 2 figs