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Session 4: Round Table Regulatory Framework for Spent Fuel Management

International Conference on Management of Spent Fuel from Nuclear Power Reactors IAEA, Vienna, Austria;31 May - 4 June 2010. Session 4: Round Table Regulatory Framework for Spent Fuel Management. Abel J. González (*) Argentine Nuclear Regulatory Authority

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Session 4: Round Table Regulatory Framework for Spent Fuel Management

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  1. International Conference on Management of Spent Fuel from Nuclear Power ReactorsIAEA, Vienna, Austria;31 May - 4 June 2010 Session 4: Round Table Regulatory Framework for Spent Fuel Management Abel J. González (*) Argentine Nuclear Regulatory Authority Av. del Libertador 8250, (1429)Buenos Aires, Argentina; +54 1163231306;  agonzalez@arn.gob.ar (*)) Vice-Chairman of the Intermational Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Member United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) Member Commissionon Safety Standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency

  2. Is spent fuel a waste(to be discarded) or an asset(to be guarded)? The main decision underpinning the safety approach(and therefore the regulatory approach)

  3. The case of Argentina • The Administration (Executive) set up as a policy that spent fuel is not waste. • The Parliament (Legislative) validated it with ad hoc legislation, and, now, • The Supreme Court (Judiciary) has established jurisprudence ruling that such policy is constitutional

  4. The Argentine Supreme Court ruling(S. 569. XLIII.; May 4th 2010 -19 pages) • …the claimant refers to the Constitution’s ban to the entry of radioactive waste…and claims that spent fuel is high level radioactive waste…. • ….however, no evidence is provided of spent fuel being radioactive waste…. • ….the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (Argentine Law 25 279) differentiates between spent fuel and radioactive waste …. • ….it has become clear over the proceedings that we are not in the presence of a radioactive waste, but of a spent fuel.

  5. Answering the Panel’s Basic Questions

  6. (1) Is there sufficient emphasis in establishing safety standards for fuel management, particularly back end management?

  7. Our Position • There IS NOT sufficient emphasis in establishing international safety standards for fuel management, particularly back end management. • Few safety standards aim at the safe preservation of the spent fuel as an asset,most standards considering spent fuel as a waste to be disposed.

  8. Promissory future • DS360 – Safety of Reprocessing Facilities • DS318 – Safety of MOX Fuel Fabrication Facilities

  9. (2) Is there sufficient international consensus on the approaches to demonstrate the safety of geological disposal? ?

  10. Our Position • Unfortunately, the required international consensus on quantitative standards on the safety of geological disposal of radioactive waste has not been attained, the achieved consensus being just on qualitative demonstration. • But, spent fuel can be managed safely even in the absense of such a consensus.

  11. (3) Is it possible to achieve international consensus on a future strategy for fuel management ?

  12. Our Position •  An international consensus on a future strategy for fuel management is achievable and desirable. • However, it would be difficult to attain under political interference and polarization.

  13. (4)Could international safety instruments (conventions, standards etc) be used in case of multilateral arrangements for spent fuel management ?

  14. Our Position • International safety instruments (both legally binding conventions and non-binding international standards) were developed for national use. (e.g., all presuppose the establishment of a national infrastructure to regulate safety). • They cannot be used in case of multilateral arrangements for spent fuel management. • Before continuing to promote such arrangements, the IAEA should address this problem.

  15. Av. del Libertador 8250 Buenos Aires, Argentina +541163231758 agonzalez@arn.gob.ar Than you!

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