OPINION OF THE COMMISSION of 2 May 1995 concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the 'TU5` Basic Nuclear Facility at Pierrelatte (France) in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty (Only the French text is authentic) (95/172/Euratom)

On 24 November 1994 the Commission of the European Communities received from the French Government, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, general data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from the operation for the 'TU5` Basic Nuclear Facility at Pierrelatte.

On the basis of these data and following consultation with the group of experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion:

1. The distance between the 'TU5` Basic Nuclear Installation and the territory of the nearest Member State, namely Italy, is 175 kilometres (Spain is 260 kilometres away).

2. Under normal operating conditions, gaseous and liquid effluent discharges will not cause exposure, significant from the point of view of health, of the population of another Member State.

3. Solid radioactive waste will be treated and temporarily stored at the site before being transported to an approved national site for final storage.

4. In the event of unplanned discharges of radioactive effluent which could result from an accident of the type and scale taken into account in the general data, doses liable to be received by the population of another Member State would not be significant from the health point of view.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from the operating of the 'TU5` Nuclear Facility is not liable, either in normal operation or in the event of an accident of the type and scale taken into account in the general data, to result in radioactive contamination, significant from the health point of view, of the waters, soil or airspace of another Member State.

This opinion is addressed to the French Republic.

For the Commission

Ritt BJERREGAARD

Member of the Commission