2009 Report to Government on National Research and

Reposi<strong>to</strong>ry A facility where waste is emplaced for disposal.
[Often used as shorthand for “mined reposi<strong>to</strong>ry”, but also used
in other contexts, e.g. the UK’s Low Level Waste Reposi<strong>to</strong>ry
(LLWR).]
Research An investigation directed <strong>to</strong> the discovery of some fact or
principle by a course of study or scientific enquiry.
Retrievability An ability <strong>to</strong> withdraw wastes from a disposal facility that is
achieved by means designed in<strong>to</strong> the facility other than simply
reversing waste emplacement.
[See also “reversibility” and “recoverability”.]
Reversibility The ability <strong>to</strong> withdraw wastes from an open disposal facility by
reversing the emplacement process.
Rock
Characterisation
Facility (RCF)
An underground facility for use in characterising the physical,
chemical, mechanical and hydrological suitability of the
geological environment for “geological disposal”.
[A term used mainly by Nirex for the facility it proposed <strong>to</strong>
construct in Cumbria.]
Safety assessment An assessment of whether a nuclear facility or operation is or, if
particular actions are taken, will be safe.
Safety case The complete set of arguments that demonstrates that a
nuclear facility or operation is or, if particular actions are taken,
will be safe.
Secondary research Review, summary, collation or evaluation of existing
knowledge, facts and outcomes of basic and applied research.
Scientific research The application of the scientific method <strong>to</strong> obtaining new
information <strong>to</strong> explain the nature, properties or behaviour of
something in the universe around us.
Silo A structure used for s<strong>to</strong>rage or disposal of radioactive waste.
[The term is applied in the UK mainly <strong>to</strong> concrete structures
(buildings) used for temporary s<strong>to</strong>rage of wastes, but it can also
apply <strong>to</strong> vertical shafts in rock used for underground s<strong>to</strong>rage or
disposal.]
Spent fuel Fuel that has been used in a nuclear reac<strong>to</strong>r and for which
there is no further use as fuel.
Stakeholder A person or organisation who has an interest in or is affected by
radioactive waste management.
[In the context of CoRWM’s work, stakeholders include waste
producers, regula<strong>to</strong>rs, non-governmental organisations, local
authorities and communities near existing nuclear sites and
potential disposal sites.]
Stakeholder fatigue A situation in which stakeholders are overwhelmed by
communications and consultations on a particular <strong>to</strong>pic, and do
not respond <strong>to</strong> requests for their views.
CoRWM Document 2543, Oc<strong>to</strong>ber <strong>2009</strong> Page 140 of 151