Commission opinion

of 24 July 2000

concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the Karlsruhe Research Centre (FzK) in Baden-Württemberg in the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(2000/C 223/03)

(Only the German text is authentic)

On 11 January 2000, the European Commission received from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, general data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from the Karlsruhe Research Centre (FzK).

On the basis of these data and clarifications subsequently provided by the German Government, and following consultation with the group of experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion.

(a) The distance from the plant and the border of the nearest Member State (France) is 20,5 km while the distances to the other nearest Member States (Luxembourg/Belgium and Austria) are 155 km and 195 km respectively. The Netherlands, through which the Rhine flows, is 250 km from the plant.

(b) Under normal operating conditions, the discharges of liquid and gaseous effluents will not cause an exposure of the population in other Member States significant from the point of view of health.

(c) Solid radioactive waste generated by ongoing operations and by dismantling on the site will be stored on the site until disposal in an approved repository in Germany. Non-radioactive solid waste, residual materials, and materials which are released from regulatory control subject to compliance with clearance levels, are disposed of as conventional waste of for reuse or recycling. The Commission recommends that the clearance levels in the current authorisation be replaced with levels established in compliance with the requirements of the basic safety standards (Directive 96/29/Euratom).

(d) In the event of unplanned discharges of radioactive waste which may follow an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, the doses likely to be received 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 the disposal of radioactive waste from Karlsruhe Research Centre (FzK) in Baden-Württemberg 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.