Development and Implementation of Policies and Strategies for Radioactive Waste& DSRS Management. National Experience - Implementation

The protection of the environment and human health from the detrimental effects of radioactive wastes could be achieved through the effective development and implementation of a radioactive waste management system. Establishment of national Policy and Strategy was an important aspect for sorting proper steps for safe management of radioactive waste in the temporary storage and further in disposal. The preparation of the policy was starting with the establishment of the working group for preparations with the involvement of all stakeholders and taking into account the organizational aspects as well as technical aspects. The main issue we discussed was to have separate documents for policy and strategy due to different objectives for both of them. The policy was established in March 2013 after one year of preparation and discussions. The policy takes into account responsibility for safety, role of government, management of safety, justification, optimization and limitation, protection of present and future generations, prevention of accidents, emergency preparedness and response as well as public participation. The present national framework, present institutional structure, applicable international conventions, Joint Convention and European Union directive 2011/70, radioactive waste inventory are some other elements that form part of policy and strategy development. The establishment of policy was easier than the drawing up of the strategy . The strategy specifies how the national radioactive waste management policy will be implemented by the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics using the available technical measures and financial resources. It defines how and when the identified goals and requirements will be achieved (action PLAN), identifies the competencies needed, and elaborates the ways in which the various types of radioactive waste in the country will be managed during all phases of the radioactive waste life cycle. Waste classification, caste characterization, strategies for radioactive waste from other countries, development and necessary solution for final disposal, minimization of waste radioactive materials, regulatory control, clearance from regulatory control, control of discharge are all dealt with within the strategy.