1. Radioactive waste 1. The initial PNGMDR draft concerned the 2021-2025 period. Pursuant to the provisions of the Environment Code, the producers of spent fuel and radioactive waste are responsible for these substances, without prejudice to the liability of those who hold these substances in their role as persons or entities responsible for nuclear activities. Radioactive waste must be managed in accordance with specific procedures. Waste producers must pursue the objective of minimising the volume and harmfulness of their waste, both before production by appropriate design and operation of the facilities, and after production by appropriate sorting, treatment and packaging. The types of radioactive waste differ widely in their radioactivity (specific activity, nature of the radiation, half-life) and their form (scrap metal, rubble, oils, etc.). Two main parameters can be used to assess the radiological risk that radioactive waste represents: firstly the activity, which contributes to the toxicity of the waste, and secondly the halflife of the radionuclides present in the waste which determines the required waste containment time A distinction is therefore made between very low, low, intermediate and high-level waste on the one hand and, on the other hand, very short-lived waste (whose activity level is halved in less than 100 days) resulting mainly from medical activities, short-lived waste (chiefly containing radionuclides whose activity level is halved in less than 31 years) and long-lived waste (which contains a large quantity of radionuclides whose activity level is halved in more than 31 years). Each type of waste requires the implementation of an appropriate and safe management solution in order to control the risks it represents, particularly the radiological risk but also risks linked to their chemical composition. 1.1 Management of radioactive waste (with the exception of mining tailings and waste rock) Defined in Article L. 542‑1‑1 of the Environment Code, the management of radioactive waste comprises all the activities associated with the handling, preliminary treatment, treatment, packaging, storage and disposal of radioactive waste, excluding off-site transportation. ASN oversees the activities associated with the management of radioactive waste from BNIs or small-scale nuclear activities, other than those linked to national defence which are overseen by the Defence Nuclear Safety Authority (ASND) and those relative to Installations Classified for Protection of the Environment (ICPE), which are placed under the oversight of the Prefects. This chapter presents the role and actions of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), in the management of radioactive waste and the management of sites and soils contaminated by radioactive substances. It describes in particular the actions taken to define and set the broad guidelines for radioactive waste management. According to the Environment Code, radioactive wastes are radioactive substances for which no subsequent use is planned or envisaged or which have been reclassified as such by the administrative authority. The waste comes from activities involving artificial or natural radioactive substances (nuclear installations, the medical or research sectors, contaminated sites and soils, etc.). ASN has competence for the management of contaminated sites and soils linked to the Basic Nuclear Installations (BNIs). For the other radiological contamination situations, ASN may, at the request of the competent authorities, issue an opinion regarding their management procedures. ASN ensures that the waste resulting from contaminated site clean-up operations are directed to appropriate management routes. The French Governments’ National Radioactive Materials and Waste Management Plan (PNGMDR), enshrined by the Act of 28 June 2006 on the sustainable management of radioactive materials and waste, constitutes a tool of choice for the sustainable management of radioactive materials and wastes, in compliance with protection of the human health, safety and the environment. In 2021 and 2022, as part of the preparation for the 5th PNGMDR covering the 2022-2026(1) period, which was published at the end of 2022, ASN issued several opinions. In the context of its oversight of the decommissioning and waste management strategies implemented by the major licensees, ASN made a position statement on Orano’s strategy in early 2022. It moreover continued its monitoring of the strategy implemented by the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). Lastly, on 16 January 2023 the French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management (Andra) submitted the Creation Authorisation Application (DAC) for Cigéo, the deep geological disposal facility project for the most highly radioactive waste. 358 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2022 • 14 • Radioactive waste and contaminated sites and soils
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