Nuclear energy: Recommendations to harmonize the management of radioactive waste

Promoting the alignment of a fragmented international regulatory framework on the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and the management of radioactive waste was the objective of the HARPERS Project ^[1], funded with over €3 million by Euratom. The project involved 30 partners from 14 different countries, including in Italy ENEA, Sogin, Nucleco and CAEN S.p.A.

The three years of work focused on identifying harmonized methodologies in the fields of decommissioning and radioactive waste management and on removing difficulties that hinder the adoption of a uniform regulatory approach, including aspects related to nuclear safety, worker health, and environmental protection.

After identifying priority areas and examining issues related to cross-border cooperation, the circular economy, and advanced technologies, several recommendations were developed to be implemented at the European level. It is recommended to guarantee that the legislation of EU Member States allows the import and export of radioactive waste for treatment and conditioning. It is also recommended to develop and define “Waste Acceptance Criteria” (or criteria of suitability for disposal), including waste that is hazardous both due to its radioactivity and other risks. Furthermore, the project encourages the use of recycling and reuse of materials in decommissioning plans, the implementation of innovative solutions, and the support of research and development activities.

One of the strengths of HARPERS was its focus on training, as explained by Nadia Cherubini from ENEA’s Nuclear Department. “ENEA organized and coordinated the training program aimed at master’s degree students, PhD candidates, early-career researchers, and professionals working in radioactive waste management and nuclear facility decommissioning. The program attracted participants from 49 countries, demonstrating the broad relevance of the topics addressed. Thanks to effective networking and the project’s official website, which we developed and continuously updated, ENEA was able to ensure that the project results reached the correct stakeholders, from the scientific community to the new generations of professionals, to strengthen safety, efficiency, and innovation”.