[en] The experimental work described suggests that the leach rates of major matrix ions of sodium borosilicates glasses under a variety of static and replenished leaching conditions are the same when expressed as a function of concentration dissolved into the leachant, and are independent of the geometry of the test. This finding is intuitively reasonable, and it may then be capable of extension to other matrices and also to minority ions diffusing from the matrix. However, since this treatment does not take into account either of changing pH or of changing temperature, it can only be termed a semi-unified approach. The results suggest that leaching numbers obtained from static tests can be applied to flowing conditions, particularly to the very low-flow conditions (approx. 10^-5% volume turnover yearly) that might be anticipated under hard-rock burial conditions, which are difficult to simulate experimentally. It follows that a static test is more economical since it gives a series of leach rate/solution concentration readings, rather than the single result obtainable from a flow test. With the use of active isotopes and counting techniques, this opens the way to completely sealed and maintenance-free leaching systems that could be monitored over a period of years. Leaching models that are appropriate to static leaching conditions are being developed. 5 figures