Regional Basic Professional Training Course in Korea

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20. Waste Management
organizations, notably IAEA, ICRP and OECD/NEA, have contributed significantly to
such harmonization. The Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and
on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, expected to enter into force soon, is an
example of an attempt at harmonization.
Most countries have adopted a stepwise licensing procedure for the implementation of
waste disposal, where the licensing steps constitute the main regulatory checkpoints. This
set of licensing steps may include i) a general licence (and/or an Environmental Impact
Assessment process), ii) a construction licence, iii) an operating licence, and iv) a closure
licence. The main issues involved with the first licensing step are the general societal
acceptability of the facility and it’s siting. Consequently, the scope of review at this stage
is not limited only to radiological and technical issues, but is much broader.
The construction and operating licensing processes are similar to those of NPPs. The
most important documents to be included in the licence applications are safety analysis
reports (PSAR and FSAR), which are based on the design bases and specifications of the
facilities, and on site‐specific data. The transition from the operating phase to the closure
of a disposal facility is crucial to the long‐term safety, as it involves action, such as
backfilling and sealing, aimed at finalizing the containment system. The final closure plan
should also include an updated safety assessment, based on experiences and observations
gained during the operational period.