Waste management: A key to acceptance: Status of existing surface waste repositories and of research on HLLL waste disposal in France

Managing radioactive waste constitutes a vital concern for the various users of radioactivity, relevant authorities and public opinion. Two particularly important elements for that management involve existing surface industrial facilities for the management of very low level, intermediate and low level and the ongoing investigations dealing with high-level long-lived (HLLL) waste. In the case of intermediate and low level short-lived waste, a well-performing surface industrial facility is already implemented in the Aube Department. It was commissioned in 1992 and superseded the former Centre de la Manche. The new facility, with a disposal capacity of 1 million cubic metres has demonstrated its industrial maturity and its ability to accommodate waste packages with flexibility, but without neglecting a constant concern for the environment. In the summer of 2003, it will be expanded in order to include a facility for very-low-level waste. As for high-level long-lived waste, investigations are regulated by the Act of 30 December 1991 prescribing three research areas (partitioning and transmutation; geological disposal, and storage and conditioning). Disposal investigations are conducted by Andra. Two types of formations are under study, clay and granite, with a yiew to presenting in 2005 a report to the government for decisions to be taken in 2006 on future waste-management guidelines. In the case of clay, Andra relies on a site that has been selected in Bure in Eastern France. In 2001 a summary report was prepared and is currently undergoing an international peer review. With regard to granite, investigations are based on a generic approach and cooperative efforts with foreign partners. Radioactive-waste management constitutes an issue of particular interest in France. The main objective is to ensure the availability of reliable and robust management solutions capable of protecting human beings and the environment against any contact with the waste.