Commission opinion

of 1 August 2008

concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the Urenco Capenhurst Ltd uranium enrichment plant in the United Kingdom, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(Only the English text is authentic)

(2008/C 196/01)

On 18 December 2007, the European Commission received from the Government of the United Kingdom, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, General Data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the Urenco Capenhurst Ltd uranium enrichment plant.

On the basis of these data and additional information requested by the Commission on 15 January 2008 and provided by the British authorities on 7 and 8 April 2008, and following consultation with the Group of Experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion:

1. The distance between the enrichment plant and the nearest border with another Member State, in this case Ireland, is approximately 195 km.

2. During normal operations, discharges of liquid and gaseous effluents will not cause an exposure liable to affect the health of the population in other Member States.

3. Solid radioactive wastes (combustible and non-combustible) will be transferred, for incineration or disposal, to licensed sites in the United Kingdom. Non-radioactive solid waste or residual materials in compliance with clearance levels will be released from regulatory control for disposal as conventional waste of for reuse or recycling. This will be done in compliance with the criteria laid down in the Basic Safety Standards (Council Directive 96/29/Euratom).

4. In the event of unplanned releases of radioactive effluents resulting from an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the General Data, the doses received in other Member States will not be liable to affect the health of the population.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form arising from the Urenco Capenhurst Ltd uranium enrichment plant in the United Kingdom, 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 of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

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