Commission Opinion

of 30 March 2001

concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the high-flux neutron source research facility (FRM-II) in the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(2001/C 117/02)

(Only the German text is authentic)

On 6 October 2000 the European Commission received from the German Government, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, general data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from high-flux neutron source research facility (FRM-II).

The representatives of the German Government provided more detailed information at the meeting of the group of experts set up pursuant to the Euratom Treaty, which took place in Luxembourg on 17 and 18 January 2001.

On the basis of the information provided, and following consultation with the group of experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion.

(a) The distance between the plant and the nearest point of another Member State, in this case Austria, is approximately 70 km.

(b) Under normal operating conditions, the discharges of liquid and gaseous effluents are not liable to cause an exposure, significant from the point of view of health, of the population in another Member State.

(c) Solid radioactive waste is stored temporarily at the site before being taken to an approved national facility. Irradiated fuel elements are stored at the site before being transported off-site.

(d) In the event of unplanned discharges of radioactive effluents, which may follow an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, the doses likely to be received by the population in other Member States would not be significant from the point of view of health.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for disposal of radioactive waste, resulting from the high-flux neutron source research facility (FRM-II) in the Federal Republic of Germany, both in normal operation and in the event of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, is not liable to result in the radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.