Legal framework and waste management organization

A country that requires that radioactive waste management be implemented will first need to define a waste management policy and strategy. As defined by the IAEA, a policy is a set of established goals or requirements for the safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste; it normally defines national roles and responsibilities.

A strategy is the means for achieving the goals and requirements set out in the national policy. The relevant waste owner or operator, either a governmental agency or a private entity, usually establishes the strategy. The Waste Management Organization (WMO) will be structured based on the contents of the policy.

The course will review:

• the inputs needed to adequately formulate policy and strategy (international obligations or recommendations, national constraints),
• the legal and organizational structures that could be developed to implement the policy (including the funding issue),
• how these structures (such as a WMO) can develop the corresponding strategy.

The structure of a WMO will be developed, according to different Waste Management scenarios (such as the existence and size of reactor fleet, the need to manage spent fuel, etc.).