Requirements for the closure of a near surface repository

The objective of safe radioactive waste management is to protect human beings and the environment now and in the future from adverse effects of radioactive waste. Short lived low and intermediate level waste may be disposed of in near surface repositories. At the end of its operation the repository is closed and then may enter into an institutional control period. Even before closure, the elements necessary to monitor and maintain the repository, to perform, if necessary, corrective actions and to understand any accidental phenomena must be gathered and recorded. Moreover, the surveillance program and the organization responsible for the institutional control must be defined. (author)