Belgium’s Commitment to Radioactive Waste Management Applauded with Room for Improvement, says IAEA
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team has concluded an eleven-day mission to Belgium, commending the country's commitment to safe radioactive waste and spent fuel management. The Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning, and Remediation (ARTEMIS) team acknowledged Belgium's robust infrastructure but identified opportunities for enhancing national policies and arrangements for eventual disposal.
Belgium manages high-level waste from its nuclear reactors, providing nearly 47.3% of the country's electricity. The ARTEMIS team recognized the commitment of ONDRAF/NIRAS, the Belgian National Agency for Radioactive Waste, in managing waste from operational and decommissioned reactors, as well as low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste.
The team identified good practices in centralized waste management, contributing to waste minimization. However, challenges include the need for consolidated policies for specific waste streams and decision-making on the geological repository. Adequate financial and human resources were emphasized for timely policy implementation.
The main recommendations included formulating well-defined national policies on spent fuel management and radium-bearing waste, ensuring non-conforming waste streams are included in the National Programme, establishing comprehensive geological disposal policies, and enhancing harmonization of financial parameters.
Belgium welcomed the review's outcomes and expressed commitment to address challenges while appreciating the progress made in waste management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1: What did the IAEA ARTEMIS team commend Belgium for? A1: The IAEA ARTEMIS team commended Belgium for its commitment to safe radioactive waste and spent fuel management.
Q2: What challenges were identified by the ARTEMIS team for Belgium? A2: Challenges identified include the need for consolidated policies for specific waste streams, decision-making on the geological repository, and ensuring adequate financial and human resources for timely policy implementation.
Q3: What are the main recommendations provided by the ARTEMIS team? A3: The main recommendations include formulating well-defined national policies, ensuring inclusion of non-conforming waste streams, establishing comprehensive geological disposal policies, and enhancing harmonization of financial parameters.
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