ENER/D2/2020-377 Study on Radioactive Waste Classification Schemes in the European Union

Description

According to Article 14(2)(b) of the Council Directive 2011/70/Euratom, the European Commission is required to report to the European Parliament and the Council the inventory of radioactive waste and spent fuel present in the Community’s territory and the future prospects on the basis of the member states’ reports. Member states are using different radioactive waste classification schemes. The general objective of this study is to analyse the present relevance of the classification scheme of radioactive waste as defined in the Recommendation of 15 September 1999 on a classification system for solid radioactive waste – (SEC(1999) 1302 final), 1999/669/EC, Euratom. The aim is to devise actionable steps to equip the member states and the Commission with a tool, e.g. a recommended classification scheme, to establish an assured European Union inventory of radioactive waste to maximise the transparency of radioactive waste management processes for the European decision makers and citizens. Lot 1: The general objective of this study is to analyse the present relevance of the classification scheme of radioactive waste as defined in the Recommendation. The aim is to devise actionable steps to equip the member states and the Commission with a tool, e.g. a recommended classification scheme, to establish an assured European Union inventory of radioactive waste to maximise the transparency of radioactive waste management processes for the European decision makers and citizens. Furthermore, this tool might be conducive to increased cross-border cooperation either between member states directly or via improved conditions for a common market of goods and services in this sector (hereinafter simply referred to as ‘cross-border cooperation’).