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on 7/18/25 at 10:42 AM
The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) supports its member countries in tackling key challenges in radioactive waste management and decommissioning through the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) and the Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM). These committees serve as vital platforms for navigating technical, economic and societal challenges through a holistic approach.
There is growing interest in small modular reactors (SMR) and Generation IV technologies as part of efforts to strengthen energy security and achieve net-zero carbon emissions. The RWMC and CDLM have launched initiatives to begin exploring the “back end” – encompassing spent fuel and radioactive waste management as well as dismantling and decommissioning – of these new designs, recognising it as a key factor in ensuring responsible, long-term deployment.
In March 2024, the RWMC and CDLM established the Focus Group on the Back End of Advanced Reactors (FG-BEAR) in March 2024 to develop a comprehensive approach to the unique features and challenges of back-end management for SMRs and Generation IV reactors. The group was tasked with reviewing ongoing and planned work, identifying key gaps and needs across technical, economic, societal and regulatory dimensions, and providing recommendations for future focus areas and collaboration.
