International Good Practice in Preparing for Decommissioning and Performing Characterisation. Summary of the findings of two OECD/NEA WPDD task groups

Radiological characterization is a key activity enabling planning and implementation of decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Effective characterization allows determining the extent, location and nature of contamination providing crucial information to facilitate facility dismantling, the management of material and arising waste, protection of workers, the public and environment as well as associated cost estimation. The Working Party on Decommissioning and Dismantling (WPDD) within the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of OECD formed the Task Group on Radiological Characterization (TGRCD) to compile recent experience of NEA member countries in radiological characterization, including the experience of international experts and practitioners, the learning from international case studies and international conferences and national approaches to the application of international and national regulations, standards and guidance documents. The transition of a nuclear facility from operation to the implementation of dismantling is a critical phase in every decommissioning project. Several organizational and technical modifications are needed to adapt the facility to meet the new objectives and requirements. A variety of activities need to be planned and performed to support the transition and to prepare the dismantling of the facility. Experience has shown that it is essential to start with preparations for decommissioning at a very early stage, at best already during the design stage of the facility but at least during the operational stage. The preparation of the transition for decommissioning and dismantling (D&D) is a key issue for the success of the global D&D project to minimize delays and undue costs, to optimize personnel and other resources and to initiate preparatory activities for decommissioning in a planned, timely and cost-effective manner and thus to ensure safe and efficient decommissioning. With the growing number of nuclear facilities reaching the decommissioning stage WPDD formed the Task Group on Preparing for Decommissioning (TGPFD). This group of experts included regulators, nuclear operators and independent experts to review the strategic aspects to optimize the preparations for decommissioning from the last years of operation onwards. This paper gives and overview of the work carried out by both task groups and their respective findings. (author)