European Commission Conference on the Management of Radioactive Waste

Radioactive waste is not only produced in those states that use nuclear power for electricity generation, but also by many other applications, be it radiotherapies or industrial tests. It's safe management is therefore a challenge for all Member States, irrespective of their stance on nuclear power. Under the 7th Euratom Framework Programme (FP7, 2007-13) research on radioactive waste has been a key domain of activity. One notable success has been the Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform (IGD-TP), piloted by leading European radioactive waste management organisations. According to the platform, the EU expects to have, "by 2025, the first geological disposal facilities for spent fuel, high-level waste and other long-lived radioactive waste will be operating safely in Europe".

The conference will provide an overview of all recent EC activities in the field of radioactive waste management with a focus on geological disposal (GD), including RD&D, policy, strategic, legislative and socio-political aspects for all stakeholders attending this event.

It will take place on the eve of the new the Euratom research and training programme 2014-18 complementing Horizon 2020, the new framework for research and innovation in Europe 2014-20. In this context, the strategic integration and activities of IGD-TP will be covered against the backdrop of the evolving EU policy in RD&D in general and the trend towards supporting programmes rather than projects.

This event will be held in parallel to FISA 2012, a conference on the safe operation of nuclear installations in Europe. Both events are co-organised by the European Commission and the Ministry for Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania, under the auspices of the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU.