WRITTEN QUESTION E-2273/97 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: Transportation and storage of nuclear waste

Following recent public demonstrations against the transportation and storage of nuclear waste in Germany, the Commission must be aware of the growing public concern surrounding such activity in all Member States.

In view of this, the Commission satisfied that such transportation and storage is safe, that it does not pose a threat to public health, and that it fully meets the requirements of European legislation and policy as developed from the EC and EURATOM Treaties?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2273/97 and E-2274/97 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (4 September 1997)

Movements of radioactive waste are covered by Council Directive 94/55/EC of 21 November 1994 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by road ((OJ L 319, 12.12.1994. )) and Council Directive 96/49/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by rail ((OJ L 235, 17.9.1996. )). These fully incorporate the 1995 International atomic energy agency (IAEA) regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials. Member States had to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with these directives by 1 January 1997. According to this transport legislation, Member States may exempt the transport of dangerous goods by transport equipment belonging to or under the responsibility of the armed forces.

All practices which involve the risk from ionizing radiation, including the storage and transport of radioactive substances have to comply with the basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public. These were first laid down by Council directive in February 1959 and revised on a number of occasions since that date ((The most recent revision of the basic safety standards is contained in Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13.5.1996. The provisions of this Directive must be in force by 13.5.2000 - OJ L 159, 29.6.1996. )). The provisions of the existing directives require Member States to establish a system of inspections in order to check compliance with these standards.

This Community legislation established under Chapter III 'health and safety' of the Euratom Treaty covers radioactive materials belonging to or under the responsibility of the armed forces, in particular whenever related activities have an impact on population exposure.

On an international level, in September 1997 there will be a formal negotiation of a new joint convention on the safety of spent fuel management and the safety of radioactive waste management. It is expected that this will be open for signature at the IAEA general conference and enter into force as soon as enough states have ratified it. This should help to ensure an adequate level of safety for radioactive waste management practices throughout the world. It is expected that the joint convention will cover the management of spent fuel or radioactive waste from military or defence programmes when such materials are transferred permanently to civilian programmes and managed exclusively within them.