14.2.1 Need for national policies and strategies

Spent fuel and radioactive waste will be generated from the first day of operation of a nuclear power plant. It needs to be taken care of through intermediate storage, treatment and conditioning, possible reprocessing and final disposal, steps that might very well stretch out over 100 years or more. Introduction of nuclear power involves a long-term commitment for the country and the industry involved. It is thus important to develop policies and strategies for their management, as well as a stable legal system, at an early stage of the decision process for implementing nuclear power in a country. The policies should include a general plan for the spent fuel and waste management systems needed and a clear delineation of the respon­sibilities to implement the different steps as well as a clear and stable system for the financing of these activities.

The importance of an early development of the principles and responsi­bilities for spent fuel and radioactive waste management has long been recognized. The IAEA has developed several safety standards and technical publications that are applicable. Guidance for development of national nuclear power programmes, including spent fuel and radioactive waste management, can be found in the so-called milestones document IAEA (2007b). More specific guidance for policy and strategy development for spent fuel and radioactive waste management can be found in IAEA (2009b). Some general conclusions are:

• A spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management infrastructure is a necessary element to be available when implementing nuclear power programmes.

• The development of the infrastructure requires a systematic stepwise approach lasting for several decades.

• Thus the building of the waste management infrastructure and the for­mulation of national spent fuel and radioactive waste policies and rel­evant strategies should be initiated in the early stages of planning nuclear power programmes.