IAEA compiling state of knowledge and developing high level guidance in radioactive waste management

Abstract. One endeavour central to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) mandate is compiling the international state of knowledge (SoK), supporting transfer of knowledge and establishing high level guidance for all peaceful applications of nuclear technologies, including those specific to radioactive waste management (RWM). Building on the current state of experiences and knowledge shared with us from IAEA Member States, we are developing a comprehensive suite of documents on the technologies and solutions having the potential to address RWM needs and steps. This information can be used as a baseline to guide RWM in other countries. In a first approach, the information is compiled and developed in a sequence of documents covering a range of topical domains. These include: RW: inventory; characterization; use of waste acceptance criteria throughout all RWM steps. RWM steps: a series of handbooks presenting approaches to waste treatment, conditioning and storage; special applications supporting small inventory management needs (e.g. through mobile facilities); considerations specific to management needs of postaccident radioactive waste. Endpoints: introduction to design approaches and disposal concepts; managing site investigations; global compendium of Underground Research Facilities (URF) RDD special considerations for small inventory disposal. Programmatic considerations: a generic roadmap to deep geologic repository (DGR) implementation; cost estimation and funding of a disposal programme; stakeholder involvement in disposal. To improve on efficiency and to prove our capacity to compile and transfer an evolving state of knowledge on topics relevant to RWM, the IAEA is building a collection of online interactive contents based on these publications. This online interactive content ultimately aims at containing all our key guidance topics and is intended to provide easier and more rapid access to detailed information. The format would also allow its content to be expanded with descriptions and analyses of topical case studies.