Publication Laka-library:
On the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste Proposal for a council directive

AuthorEuropean Commission
6-04-1-10-63.pdf
Date2003
Classification 6.04.1.10/63 (INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS - E.E.C./EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT / EU / EC GENERAL)
Front

From the publication:

                 COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES




                                                   Brussels, xxx
                                                   COM (2003)32 final


                                      Proposal for a

                          COUNCIL (Euratom) DIRECTIVE

Setting out basic obligations and general principles on the safety of nuclear installations



                                      Proposal for a

                          COUNCIL DIRECTIVE (Euratom)

            on the management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste
                                 EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Context

The Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) contains
provisions allowing the Community to regulate the use of nuclear energy by the Member
States, in particular as regards nuclear safeguards (Chapter 7) and health protection (Chapter
3).

Pursuant to Article 2(b) of the Euratom Treaty, the Community shall, as provided in this
Treaty: "establish uniform safety standards to protect the health of workers and of the general
public and ensure that they are applied." Chapter 3 of Title II of the Treaty, concerning health
protection, contains provisions concerning basic standards with regard to protection against
ionising radiation. This chapter has been used in the main with regard to radiation protection.
However, health protection covers both radiation protection and nuclear safety. These two
disciplines have in fact a common objective, protection against ionising radiation.

The Commission has actively intervened in connection with the harmonisation of nuclear
safety practices for over 25 years, in particular under the Council resolutions of 22 July 19751
and 18 June 19922 on the technological problems of nuclear safety. Despite these efforts
towards harmonisation, however, nuclear safety measures still differ considerably from one
Member State to another.

Following the Chernobyl accident in 1986, which wa