Management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in Finland : Second national programme under Article 12 of Directive 2011/70/EURATOM of the Council of the European Union

Abstract

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in cooperation with the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority have prepared a programme on the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste in Finland. The programme is a national programme required by Council Directive 2011/70/EURATOM. The current national programme is the second in its order. An environmental impact assessment of the programme was also carried out in connection with the preparation of the national programme.

The spent fuel and radioactive waste generated in Finland are mainly managed in Finland. The responsibility for the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste and its costs lies with the operator generating the waste. The Finnish State bears ultimate responsibility for the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste generated in Finland, and the State also have financial provision for the costs of waste management. The management of nuclear fuel and radioactive waste used in Finland is implemented responsibly. However, the national programme can be developed in coming decades, for example by reforming legislation, taking into consideration cooperation between operators in licence procedures and by further developing technical solutions related to waste management, waste recording, and national expertise.