[en] In this report, the various factors influencing the long-term integrity of stored fuel are considered. The discussion is specifically limited to zirconium-alloy-clad uranium dioxide fuel and evidence from Canada and elsewhere is considered. Under storage conditions, changes take place so slowly, if at all, that no evidence has been obtained that indicates any deterioration of stored fuel after 10 to 15 years under water. All the information now available indicates that irradiated CANDU fuel may be safely stored by the present methods as long as it is technically and economically desirable to do so. Stored fuel should continue to be examined after increasingly long storage times under water to confirm the stability of the Zircaloy cladding containing the fuel pellets. (author)