State of the art in science and technology for unique and lengthy administrative procedures - How does it work?

Abstract

In Germany disposal of low- and intermediate level radioactive waste is intended and took place in deep geological repositories. Two repositories in very different stages of their life cycle exist in Germany, both are disused mines. For the ERAM repository (Endlager für radioaktive Abfälle Morsleben) decommissioning and closure is expected to start in 2029. Radioactive waste was last stored in 1998. For the KONRAD repository (Schachtanlage Konrad) commissioning and storage of radioactive waste is anticipated in 2030. The respective permits regulate, how the final repository is designed, what protective measures must be taken, which waste may be stored in what form and how the final repository is to be closed. ERAM and KONRAD were approved in 1986 and 2002, respectively; both approval processes took place in previous decades. Since then, both repositories have been continuously adapted to the current state of the art in science and technology. But what is the “current state of the art in science and technology”, who defines it and what does it mean for the approval of deep geological repositories? In this contribution we will show examples of how the state of the art in science and technology finds its way into supervision and licensing activities and which actors are involved. Finally, we discuss how we could optimize these processes and what we might learn for the permission of a repository for high radioactive waste.