{"id":251454,"date":"2023-05-03T11:02:39","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T09:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unric.org\/en\/?p=251454"},"modified":"2023-05-03T11:02:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T09:02:39","slug":"iaea-commends-swedens-management-of-radioactive-waste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unric.org\/en\/iaea-commends-swedens-management-of-radioactive-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"IAEA commends Sweden\u2019s Management of Radioactive Waste"},"content":{"rendered":"

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission to Sweden says that the country has a comprehensive, robust and well-functioning system for safely managing radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants and commended the country\u2019s development of a concept for spent fuel disposal. The mission 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning and Remediation (ARTEMIS) team concluded the eleven-day mission to Sweden on 27 April. The team comprised eight experts from Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United States of America and three IAEA staff members.<\/p>\n

30% of electricity from nuclear reactors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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 spent fuel management.\u00a0<\/em>The mission was\u00a0<\/em>hosted by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM).<\/em>\u00a0An observer from the European Commission attended the mission.<\/p>\n

Sweden generates more than 30 per cent of its electricity from six nuclear reactors. Radioactive waste primarily originates from the operation of these nuclear reactors. Radioactive waste also originates from medical and research institutions and industry and consumer products such as smoke detectors. There is also an amount of radioactive waste from past activities which is stored pending disposal.<\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The team also identified recommendations and suggestions to maintain and further improve the safe and responsible management of radioactive waste in Sweden, including:<\/p>\n