Regulatory control of the German radioactive waste management system Original Research Article

In Germany, all radioactive materials are controlled from their origin to their final disposal or release. This is in accordance with the IAEA draft Convention on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. A Waste Control System has been developed and is now available. Although the IAEA and EU regulations allow disposal outside the country of origin this philosophy is not in compliance with the present German disposal concept. As a consequence, Germany will not grant licences for the import of radioactive waste for final disposal or for export for disposal in a foreign country. Thus, unconditional clearance is a prerequisite if the final destination is outside Germany. However, Germany will closely follow all international developments in the field of radioactive waste disposal.