| Chair(s): |
Satoru SUZUKI, Japan |
Secretary: |
Takune KURATA (takune.kurata@oecd-nea.org) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 June 2013 | ||
| End of mandate: | 31 December 2023 |
Mandate (Document reference):
Mandate (Document extract):
Extract from document NEA/RWM/IGSC(2021)10
Mandate
The mandate of the EGOS is to identify, evaluate and help define international best practices in safe operation of deep geological repositories (DGRs).
Background
The overall operational safety objectives in deep geological repositories (DGRs) for radioactive waste are similar to those in operating other nuclear facilities. Those objectives notably include: preventing release of radioactive substances; protecting workers and environment from irradiation; dissipating thermal power from the waste; ventilating any radioactive gases; etc. Risks are managed in accordance with the principle of defence-in-depth (as defined in the INSAG-10 report by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group) and “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA).
The excavation volumes, potentially much longer operational durations and limited possibilities for direct monitoring in geological repositories, as compared to other nuclear facilities, will impose specific design requirements of DGRs. The applicability and transferability of classical nuclear safety and mining safety regulations to DGRs must be examined. Conflicting regulatory requirements must be identified and addressed. For instance, ventilation requirements addressing mining safety may conflict with requirements addressing radiation protection. Confliction between operational safety and long-term safety should also be addressed.
The Joint Workshop of the Integration Group for the Safety Case (IGSC) and the Regulators Forum (RF) “Preparing for Construction and Operation of Geological Repositories – Challenges to the Regulator and the Implementer”, held in January 2012, confirmed the need to address operational safety issues in repository implementation. Particularly, safety case experts expressed their interest and needs to develop consensus on the best operational practices and operational guidelines of DGRs as well as to understand commonalities and differences in operation procedures among member countries. As more high level waste (HLW) disposal projects move towards implementation and some low and intermediate level waste (L&ILW) disposal projects come into operation, achieving and demonstrating operational safety of geological disposal facilities becomes essential. Following this situation, the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) pointed out in March 2012 that this area of work is important in further developing DGRs. In the 2012 IGSC plenary meeting, the members confirmed their will to share their practical experiences and approved unanimously the creation of an Expert Group on Operational Safety (EGOS).
DGR Projects in some countries have made significant progress since the establishment of EGOS, and more practical and detailed information exchange is now possible. Therefore, the importance of EGOS for the exchange of information and views has been increasing.
Scope
The scope of issues covers the pre-closure phase of DGRs, but the connection between operational safety and long-term safety should also be addressed.
Objectives
Working Methods
The mode of operation of the EGOS is based upon plenary meetings and an ongoing, project-oriented working programme.
A Bureau including the Chair and one Vice Chair will lead and organise the work of the EGOS.
The EGOS will report to IGSC at its plenary meetings.
Additionally, the EGOS: (i) will identify resources and schedules for its activities; (ii) will form task teams to work on specific projects and to organise workshops, as appropriate; and (iii) will annually review the programme of work and the effectiveness of the programme.
Membership
The EGOS is a task-oriented expert group. It is composed of senior technical specialists with experience in assembling or reviewing the understanding of operational safety for deep geological repository projects. Members represent waste management agencies, regulatory authorities, academic institutions and research and development institutions. EGOS members have a level of seniority in their organisations such that they can mobilise resources as contributions to EGOS initiatives.
Interactions
The primary interaction of the EGOS will be with the IGSC and RWMC to co-ordinate its work to support a holistic approach to radioactive waste management. The work of the EGOS is complementary to the activities of other international organisations, thus using or taking into account the outcomes of activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC) as well as other relevant organisations. When appropriate, the EGOS can provide input relevant to the activities of these organisations and institutions.
In fulfilling its mandate, the EGOS will be primarily supported by the RWMD staff of the NEA Secretariat. In addition, the EGOS will co-operate with the subsidiary bodies of other NEA standing technical committees when relevant.
Deliverables
‒ Fire and ventilation report
‒ A Report on Waste Acceptance Criteria
‒ Hazard database
