Expert Group on Characterisation Methodology of Unconventional and Legacy Waste (EGCUL)

Completed

Large volume of low-level radioactive wastes that were generated after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident are now tentatively stored on site. Photo: TEPCO.

The development of a reliable and efficient characterisation and categorisation methodology is a common challenge in the fields of post-accident radioactive waste management and legacy waste management, as in both cases, waste tends to be in large volume with unknown radiological and/or chemical properties. This is due to the unknown circumstances of an accident or the impacts of time progression after past nuclear activities.

EGCUL explored several case studies on how to develop a strategic approach to manage the complex characterisation process of waste. Based on such studies, EGCUL provided international best practices and shared the lessons learnt in different countries.

Related topics

Radioactive waste management

Decommissioning and legacy management

Related events

August

2022

Joint NEA and NDF Workshop on the Characterisation of Large Quantities of Unconventional and Legacy Waste

ALL EVENTS

Publications and reports

results

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        Publications and Reports
      
	        Most recent

Management of Radioactive Waste after a Nuclear Power Plant Accident

2 December 2016

Accident management Decommissioning EGFWMD English Fukushima International co-operation Radioactive waste management …

          
        NEA Document
      
	        Most recent

Characterisation Methodology for Unconventional and Legacy Waste

30 November 2021

Characterisation Decommissioning Legacy management Radioactive waste Radioactive waste management RWMC

Background

Following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) in March 2011, various kinds of post-accident radioactive waste were generated. The radioactive waste resulting from the accident had different properties compared with the waste generated by nuclear power plants that operated under normal conditions. Therefore, specific management methods/strategies are needed for managing post-accident waste.

In this context, the Japanese Nuclear Damage Compensation and Decommissioning Facilitation (NDF) requested the NEA’s Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) in March 2017 to assist in developing an integrated methodology for managing a large amount of radioactive waste with unknown properties, focusing on radiological characterisation. Then, EGCUL launched in 2018 to tackle these challenges with the following objectives:

share state-of-the-art knowledge and experience in characterisation for a large amount of unknown waste
discuss relevant issues and challenges on characterisation in member countries
provide international feedback on Japan's newly developed characterisation methodology
explore possible links with the Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM), the Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health’s (CRPPH) Expert Group on Legacy Management (EGLM) and other radiation protection issues
write a report to be submitted to the RWMC on state-of-the-art methodology and best practice on the characterisation of a large amount of unknown waste.

Previous related work

The Expert Group on Fukushima Waste Management and Decommissioning R&D (EGFWMD), established under RWMC in 2014-2016, studied lessons learnt from other nuclear accident, (e.g. Three Mile Island and Chernobyl) including handling of any environmental contamination and the current status of related waste management. The group then provided a strategic approach to the Japanese government for effective management of radioactive waste related to Fukushima Daiichi in 2016.

Password-protected pages

EGCUL member's area (password protected | reminder)

Contact

Yuko Maehashi

Activities

results

Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM)

The CDLM assists member states in holistically addressing challenges in the execution of decommissioning and legacy management through sharing experiences among members with a broad range of expertise.

See

Expert Group on Legacy Management (EGLM)

Many NEA member countries are facing problems with radiologically contaminated legacy sites and installations. There are many examples of how different legacy issues are managed in various countries, applying different approaches and standards. To address the need for more practical guidance on regulation of radiation protection at legacy sites the Expert Group on Legacy Management (EGLM) was formed in 2016. The main objective of the EGLM is to promote a practical and optimised approach for the regulatory supervision of nuclear legacy sites and installations, taking into account the results of other NEA activities such as the Expert Group on Fukushima Waste Management and Decommissioning R&D (EGFWMD), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Fundamentals, the International Basic Safety Standards and the relevant IAEA guidance documents, the relevant existing and the new International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations, as well as the experience of good practice at different types of legacy sites.

Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC)

The committee supports member countries in the development of safe and economically efficient management of all types of radioactive waste (including spent fuel) based on the latest scientific and technological knowledge.

See