Decommissioning
Decommissioning of Installations and Remediation of Sites
Developing and implementing guidance on the safe termination of nuclear activities
Rationale - The safe termination of nuclear facilities requires a systematic approach that begins during the design stage of a facility and continues until the facility is removed from service and its site is eventually removed from regulatory control and return to public use. This process is known as decommissioning. The Agency has developed an approach, set out in its Safety Standards, for the safe decommissioning of all types of facilities using radioactive material. The Agency has also prepared a set of Safety Standards that provide radiological criteria for developing a remediation strategy for the various types of sites. The main focus of Agency activities during this programme period will shift from the development of the Safety Standards to their implementation. Most of the tasks associated with this project are a result of the “International Action Plan on the Safe Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities” which was approved by the Agency’s Board of Governors in June 2004. The action plan will lead to new initiatives such as a research reactor decommissioning demonstration project and a forum for assessing the safety of decommissioning activities. Now that Member States are beginning to gain experience in decommissioning activities, an international conference is planned to disseminate lessons learned during the planning and implementation of decommissioning activities. The outcomes of the International Conference on Lessons Learned from Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities and on the Safe Termination of Nuclear Practices (Dec 2006) will also direct the IAEA activities on MSs assistance on decommissioning planning and implementation.
Objective
To enable Member States to remove nuclear facilities, buildings, structures, material and land from regulatory control using a coherent and safe approach to the definition of safety standards on decommissioning.
Major Tasks for 2008-2009
- Review Safety Guides (WS-G- 2.1, WS-G-2.2, WS-G-2.4) on decommissioning to incorporate new Safety Requirements and Member State comments (Action Plan)
- Provide assistance and organize the coordination meetings for the BN- 350 NPP decommissioning
- Provide advisory services to Member States on decommissioning of nuclear facilities (upon request)
- Implement the radiological assessment plan of the Semipalatinsk Test Site
- Provide technical assistance to Iraq
- Publish a Safety Report on compliance monitoring of bulk material with exclusion, exemption and clearance levels
- Prepare and publish a Safety Report on safety assessment for decommissioning of facilities using radioactive material (Action Plan)
- Prepare a Safety Report on the application of decommissioning strategies for research reactors (Action Plan)
- Prepare a Safety Report on the options for the management of waste from a decommissioning activity, taking into account special safety concerns (Action Plan)
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Regulating and Remediating NORM
Regulating and remediating environments with residues from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)
Rationale - The need to regulate Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in the environment is a matter of concern to Member States and has been the subject of discussion at a number of international forums. The number of requests from Member States for assistance on the regulatory issues have increased during the past couple years. The radiation exposure to the public from different industries that use or generate NORM can be significant and needs to be considered as part of the overall radiation protection regime. Many countries have not considered regulation of these industries because of the potential burden this process could have on not only the affected industry, but also the regulatory body. What is needed is a rational, yet effective approach to the regulation of these industries. The processes of exclusion and exemption as defined in the BSS should be clarified as to their application to residues that result from these activities.
Objective
To enable Member States to protect the public and its environment from exposure to naturally occurring radioactive material resulting from past and present practices.
Major Tasks for 2008-2009
- Prepare a Safety Guide on the safe management of NORM in the environment
- Respond to Member State requests relating to regulating and remediating environments with residues from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)
- Prepare a TECDOC on practical examples of effective regulation of NORM
- Prepare a Safety Report on issues needing consideration when planning for the remediation of a site, including mining and milling areas
- Prepare a Safety Report on the standard format and content of a remediation plan for mill tailings sites
- Evaluate potential hazards and development of strategies for remediation of legacy waste sites
- Organize a specialist meeting on the safe management of NORM in the environment
- Organize an International Conference on the remediation of land contaminated by radioactive residues
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