Demonstrating the safety of a geological disposal facility (GDF)
The generic Disposal System Safety Case demonstrates how a geological disposal facility can be designed, constructed and operated safely.
This suite of documents is designated as a ‘generic’ safety case: it is not site-specific as no site has yet been chosen for a geological disposal facility (GDF). It sets out how a GDF can be designed, constructed and operated safely, in compliance with regulatory guidance, in a range of geological environments. This safety case underpins a process for packaging waste ready for disposal in such a facility.
This latest update brings together:
- a revised inventory for disposal
- findings from a comprehensive, ongoing research programme
- learning from facilities around the world.
This collection of documents is structured in the following way:
- The overview provides a guide to the suite of safety case documents
- There are three main safety case reports on transport, operational and environmental safety
- There are a series of individual assessments for the different safety case reports. These are split into:
- transport safety assessment
- operational safety assessment
- environmental safety assessment
- environmental and sustainability assessments
- There is a detailed specification for the disposal system
- The design of the transport system and the disposal facility are described
- Further information is provided in the associated knowledge base including specific research status reports
In November 2018 the Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation jointly published two reports:
- Joint regulators’ assessment of the 2016 generic Disposal System Safety Case
- Scrutiny of RWM’s work on geological disposal - annual report 2017-18
RWM welcomes the advice and scrutiny provided by the regulators. The reports will help us ensure we have a good understanding of the regulatory requirements necessary to enable environmental permitting and the granting of a nuclear site licence for geological disposal activities. RWM continues to engage with the regulators on how we address their recommendations in our work programme.
Overview
This document provides a guide to the suite of safety case publications
Safety cases
The three main reports on transport, operational and environmental safety
Assessments
Transport, operational and environmental safety assessments, together with environmental & sustainability assessments.
Disposal system specification
Requirements for a geological disposal facility
Design
Illustrative designs on aspects of geological disposal
Knowledge base
Supplementary information for the safety cases
Updates to this page
Last updated 16 November 2018 + show all updates
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A short statement in response to the publication of two reports by the Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation
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Re-ordering of content on page
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First published.