Repository programs in Europe

The major part of this paper deals with the deep geological disposal of high-level waste (HLW). The final disposal of this type of waste in deep and stable geological formations is, at the present time, generally accepted as safe and as the most practicable option. The safe disposal in deep geological formations requires essentially the understanding of the short- and long-term behaviors of the waste forms to be disposed of and their most adequate containment systems, as well as of the characteristics and expected behavior of the disposal system during its construction and operation, and subsequently of the surrounding host rock during several tens of thousands of years. The development of this technological area in the European countries has followed a process which can be generally defined by the following four consecutive large phases; identification of favorable geological formations; technical developments in geological media; site selection process and characterization of the chosen site; and construction and startup. Radioactive waste management is similarly organized in all western European countries. The available level of knowledge on the disposal of HLW has make possible the setting up of clear and realistic national repository programs