To better assist the States as they plan for and implement waste management programs, it is necessary to have general information on how safeguards are applied to waste materials, facilities, and packages. Under a comprehensive safeguards agreement (CSA), States agree to safeguards on all source or special fissionable materials within their jurisdiction in all peaceful nuclear activities. However, how this applies to radioactive waste materials, the practicalities of the agreement can often be confusing and difficult to interpret. To address this need, the Agency is drafting a new guidance document in the Nuclear Energy Series entitled 'International Safeguards in the Design of Facilities for Radioactive Waste Management'. This document will be a part of the Safeguards by Design Guidance subseries that serves to give an overview of the safeguards obligations and concepts that are important at the back end of the fuel cycle. This technical meeting is specifically focused on all wastes containing or contaminated by nuclear material other than spent fuel declared as waste, which is covered in an existing NE Series document.
This information is important to any State that is starting, reviewing, or expanding a radioactive waste program, as safeguards obligations can be associated with a variety of materials. In addition, with the increase in the number of active and planned decommissioning projects world-wide, it is timely to provide concise and clear guidance to States to prepare them for future discussions with their national regulatory bodies and the IAEA Department of Safeguards. States have asked for information on how safeguards are applied to waste materials, facilities and packages. This publication would provide an accurate and consolidated basis for the responses to these requests.
In general, radioactive waste management represents one of the most important applications of Safeguards by Design (SBD) principles due to:
- Large volumes, and therefore a large potential multiplier to any additional burden introduced by unexpected safeguards obligations.
- The potential for large volumes of contaminated material from decommissioning projects, which are increasing around the world.
- Correction of the widespread perception that low-level radioactive waste material is not of safeguards interest to the IAEA.
- The inherent difficulty – and therefore high cost-benefit ratio – of characterizing this material in many cases, and the corresponding difficulty for the Agency during verification.
- The involvement of private subcontractor/operators, often with a lower awareness of the needs of safeguards.
This event is intended for all States that have radioactive waste management programs or are developing programs. Of particular interest are radioactive waste professionals that have had interactions with their State's safeguards program and/or the Agency's department of safeguards, OR professionals in the state regulatory or safeguards program responsible for waste management facilities. The participants should have sound knowledge and experience in either radioactive waste management, international nuclear safeguards, or both