The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Environment Agency have issued their latest annual report detailing regulatory oversight of plans to develop a geological disposal facility (GDF) for the UK's higher activity radioactive waste.
Geological disposal means the permanent burial of hazardous radioactive materials, which involves placing waste in purpose-built underground facilities situated 200 to 1,000 metres beneath the earth's surface or ocean floor.
Although construction remains many years away, the Environment Agency currently expect to receive the first permit application in around 2028 and ONR expects to receive the site licence application sometime in the 2030s.
Both regulators are actively working with Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) - the organisation tasked with delivering the facility - to provide essential regulatory guidance. This engagement ensures future development applications will meet all legal requirements for permitting and licencing.
A key focus involves ensuring NWS delivers appropriate advice to waste producers across the country. This guidance is crucial so radioactive waste packaged at various sites remains suitable for eventual disposal, can be safely stored at current locations, and transported securely to the future GDF when operational.
This year's report highlights the regulatory advice provided to NWS and updates on community engagement activities. The community partnerships of Mid Copeland and South Copeland are participating in the NWS initiative to understand how it could potentially work for them to accommodate a Geological Disposal Facility in their areas.
Current UK government policy is that UK higher activity radioactive waste will be managed long-term through geological disposal. This approach involves placing waste deep within suitable rock formations, creating lasting protection through physical barriers.
Both ONR and the Environment Agency are responsible for ensuring any future GDF meets rigorous safety, security, safeguards and environmental standards throughout the development, operation, and eventual closure phases.
Paul Dicks, ONR’s Director of Regulation for Sellafield, Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste directorate, said:
“Throughout this year, we have maintained our commitment to providing regulatory guidance and advice to Nuclear Waste Services, ensuring our regulatory expectations remain clear and accessible. This ongoing dialogue will continue to be a priority for us.
"Whilst ONR plays no part in the site selection process for a future Geological Disposal Facility, we remain committed to transparent engagement with communities considering hosting such a facility.
"We will continue to provide information about our regulatory role and explain how we will ensure any future facility operates to the highest standards of safety and security."
Jim Ratcliffe, Deputy Director for Nuclear Regulation at the Environment Agency, said:
“The advice, guidance and scrutiny we have provided this past year has covered a wide range of topics.
"This work demonstrates our high standards and requirements for a geological disposal facility and provides an insight into how we will ensure that these will be met in any future applications.
"We look forward to engaging with both the community partnerships and attending events to help explain our regulatory role and the information in our annual report to communities in Cumbria.”