NEA Mandates and Structures


Expert Group on Geological Repositories in Crystalline Rock Formations – Crystalline Club (CRC)

Chair(s): Andrew PARMENTER, Canada
Judith FLÜGGE, Germany
Secretary:  Shogo NISHIKAWA
(shogo.nishikawa@oecd-nea.org)
Vice-Chair(s): Lucie MAREDA, Czech Republic
Motoyuki YAMADA, Japan
Sung-Hoon JI, Korea (Rep. of)
Alice IONESCU, Romania
Tiziana MISSANA, Spain
Florian KOBER, Switzerland
Paul E. MARINER, United States
Member(s):All NEA member countries*
Russia (Suspended*)
*Russian Federation suspended pursuant to a decision of the OECD Council.
Full participant(s): European Commission
Under the NEA Statute
Observer(s)(International Organisation): International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
By agreement
Date of creation:01 January 2017
End of mandate:31 December 2024

Mandate (Document reference):

  • Summary Record of the 18th Meeting of the IGSC [NEA/RWM/IGSC(2016)10/FINAL]
  • Mandate of the Expert Group on Geological Repositories in Crystalline Rock Formations – Crystalline Club (CRC) (1 January 2017 – 31 December 2018) [NEA/RWM/IGSC(2016)9]
  • Mandate of the Expert Group on Geological Repositories in Crystalline Rock Formations – Crystalline Club (CRC) (1 January 2019 – 31 December 2020)  [NEA/RWM/IGSC(2018)1]
  • Summary Record of the 22nd Meeting of the IGSC [NEA/RWM/IGSC(2021)5]
  • Mandate of the Expert Group on Geological Repositories in Crystalline Rock Formations – Crystalline Club (CRC) (1 January 2021 – 31 December 2022)  [NEA/RWM/IGSC(2021)6]
  • Mandate of the Expert Group on Geological Repositories in Crystalline Rock Formations – Crystalline Club (CRC) (1 January 2023 – 31 December 2024)  [NEA/RWM/IGSC(2022)1/FINAL]

Mandate (Document extract):

Extract from document NEA/RWM/IGSC(2022)1/FINAL

Background

Deep geological repositories use a combination of engineered and natural barriers to safely contain and isolate radioactive waste from people and the environment. There is a consensus among major nuclear regulatory and monitoring organisations that repositories are the responsible way forward for the long-term management of these materials. The area of repository development for high-level radioactive waste is a strategic area in the programme of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC). Among the different geological formations considered suitable for hosting geological repositories, crystalline rocks are characterised by their high strength, which provides high rock-stability, as well as their low heat-sensitivity, permeability, and dissolution properties.

Many countries are developing or planning to develop geological disposal facilities for radioactive waste or underground research facilities in crystalline rocks. Although an advanced scientific and geotechnical understanding of crystalline rocks has been accumulated by the dedicated research carried out by these countries, there are research areas in which member countries may benefit from joint R&D efforts. In that context, the NEA established the Expert Group on Geological Repositories in Crystalline Rock Formations (“CRC” or “Crystalline Club”) in 2017.

Scope

The CRC promotes the exchange of information and shares state-of-the-art approaches and methods to improve the understanding of crystalline rocks as a host rock for a high-level radioactive waste repository.

Objectives

The CRC promotes the exchange of scientific evidence and information related to the safety of developing geological disposal facilities in crystalline rock formations. To further its goal, the CRC will:

  • promote the exchange of information on approaches, methods, methodologies and technologies in order to understand the characteristics of crystalline rocks and the advantages to host a repository;
  • develop and exchange specific information to the geological media of interest among countries currently pursuing or considering crystalline rock as a candidate deep geological repository medium;
  • identify areas of interest for fundamental research, i.e. where understanding is incomplete or improvements are required;
  • develop reports and expert recommendations;
  • promote common projects and task groups within the CRC; and
  • communicate identified topics of common interest and/or exchange with other working groups or international projects.

Working methods

The functional operation of the CRC is discussed and refined at plenary and bureau meetings of this body. In addition to discussions that evaluate its programme of work and review progress on specific activities, the CRC may also periodically undertake more in-depth evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the CRC and update the overall direction of the programme of work. Any decision(s) of the CRC are made in its plenary meetings or through written procedure by mutual agreement.

Membership

The CRC is a task-oriented expert group. It is composed of senior technical experts with experience in evaluating and/or reviewing the understanding of crystalline rock as host rocks for deep geologic disposal projects. Members represent waste management agencies, regulatory authorities, academic institutions, and research and development institutions. CRC members possess a level of seniority in their organisations such that they can mobilise resources within their organisations to contribute to CRC initiatives. The CRC is managed by its Bureau, including a Chair, a Co-Chair and several Vice Chairs.

Interactions

Through the Integration Group for the Safety Case (IGSC), the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) and the Secretariat, the CRC will co-operate with the NEA standing technical committees and their subsidiary bodies when relevant. It may also collaborate with the NEA Data Bank.

Deliverables

The CRC will produce relevant reports, presentations or workshops with the support of the Secretariat.