An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste & Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning & Remediation (ARTEMIS) team has concluded a seven-day mission to Sweden. It said Sweden has a comprehensive, robust and well-functioning system for safely managing radioactive waste and used nuclear fuel. The mission, however, advised Sweden to improve its national policies and strategies for non-nuclear radioactive waste that originates, for example, from industrial uses, research, or medical applications.

The team comprised eight experts from Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United States of America and three IAEA staff members. An observer from the European Commission also attended. The mission was carried out at the request of the Government of Sweden to support the country in meeting the European Union (EU) obligations under the Council Directive on radioactive waste and used fuel management. The mission was hosted by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM).

Sweden generates more than 30% of its electricity from six nuclear reactors. Radioactive waste primarily originates from the operation of these reactors as well as from medical and research institutions and industry and consumer products such as smoke detectors. There is also some radioactive waste from past activities which is stored pending disposal.

The ARTEMIS team found that Sweden demonstrates a solid commitment to ensuring the safe implementation of nuclear radioactive waste and used fuel management activities, including its efforts towards establishing a deep geological facility. The team recognised the way in which Sweden has developed and implemented the KBS-3 concept for used fuel disposal as a good practice. The review team leader, François Besnus, Director of Radioactive Waste Safety Division of the French Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), said, “the government has established conditions for the KBS-3 technique to be developed into a mature concept, earning widespread support among stakeholders”.

Recommendations and suggestions to maintain and further improve safe and responsible management of radioactive waste included:

  • Ensuring that safe management routes are made available for all types of radioactive waste and that sufficient resources are appropriately allocated for this purpose.
  • Using the national plan as a strategic planning component to monitor the implementation of the national policies.
  • Establishing a stakeholder forum to coordinate preparations for the future disposal facility for long-lived radioactive waste.

“Sweden is an example for all IAEA member states of the safe management of spent fuel, said Hildegarde Vandenhove, Director of the IAEA Division of Radiation, Transport & Waste Safety. “I am confident that the recommended improvements related to the safe management of non-nuclear radioactive waste will be considered and implemented.”

Daniel Westlén, State Secretary to the Minister for Climate and the Environment, noted: “We recognise that certain challenges remain to be addressed, in particular relating to the comprehensive provision of arrangements for long-term management of non-nuclear radioactive waste, and we will continue to work in these areas.” The final mission report will be provided to the Government in two months.

Image: The ARTEMIS team in Sweden (courtesy of IAEA)