Commission opinion

of 30 January 2002

concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the Sizewell A Power Station located in the United Kingdom, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(2002/C 32/09)

(only the English text is authentic)

On 30 July 2001, 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 from the Sizewell A Power Station.

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

(a) The distance between the plant and the nearest neighbour Member State, in this case France, is approximately 135 km.

(b) Under normal operating conditions, taking into account the new foreseen discharge authorisation, the discharges of liquid and gaseous effluents are not liable to cause an exposure, significant from the point of view of health, of the population in other Member States.

(c) Solid intermediate level radioactive wastes are stored at the site. Low level radioacitve wastes and irradiated fuel elements are stored at the site before being transported off-site for disposal, respectively reprocessing, in facilities within the United Kingdom.

(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 by the population 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 in whatever form arising from the Sizewell A Power Station 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 radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.