HARPERS Task 4.2a - ON-LINE WORKSHOP

15th July 2024 – 10.00-11.30 CET (TEAMS link)

INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF THE WORKSHOP

HARPERS Work Package 4 aims to identify the most important conditions and opportunities for establishing a Circular Economy in radioactive waste management activities across Europe. The outcomes will provide Member States, the European Commission and other interested Stakeholders with guidance on implementing Circular Economy principles and facilitating the safe reuse and recycling of materials.
Among the three themes identified in the first phase (Phase 1a) of the project as the the top priorities for Circular Economy considerations, task 4.2a is devoted to analysing the topic of National regulations and criteria for Clearance and/or (conditional) Releasing.

Project Partners prepared and conducted an internal survey to collect the main information, in a structured form, on national regulations, methodological approaches, criteria and guidance for clearance.

Special emphasis has been placed on obtaining answers from participants from countries with nuclear programs (including those that have ended).

The collected data have been preliminarily analysed to identify differences between the different national approaches, common barriers, challenges, drivers/considerations leading to different approaches and possible suggestions for future improvements.
The aim of the on-line workshop is to present the preliminary results of the survey and gain feedback and advice from external stakeholders. The data collected will be further analysed to assess the different approaches and identify areas that could be balanced through greater cooperation and/or recommend good practice for wider use.

The following questions will be asked during the workshop to gain stakeholder’s view and promote an open discussion:

1. What are the most significant limitations for implementing/extending Clearance? (Select 1-2 options)
   • Technical
   • Legislative
   • Economical
   • Environmental
   • Public resistance
   • Industry's lack of interest
2. Are the identified challenges just a matter of national approaches or there is something that we miss at European level? (Open answer)
3. Are the threshold limits reported in the EU Directive 2013/59/Euratom namely "Activity concentration values for exemption or clearance of materials which can be applied by default to any amount and to any type of solid material" (Annex VII, Table A) applied in your Country? (Select 1 option)
   • Fully (without additional modifications and requirements)
   • Partially with modifications limiting the scope/area of use
   • Partially with additional requirements meaning tightening
4. In case the Threshold are applied with specific limitations or additional requirements, what is behind it? (Open answer)
5. Are there any major historical evolution or changes regarding Clearance or Conditional Clearance? (Open answer)
6. Can you suggest potential solutions or strategies to overcome existing challenges, harmonize approaches and promote recycling? (Open answer)
7. What kind of waste should be of interest for recycling and reuse, other than the most considered metals and concrete (rubble)? (Open answer)