Planning for decommissioning of radioactive substances activities
Summary
The Environment Agency has published guidance on planning for the decommissioning of sites permitted for radioactive substances activities. It sets out a lifetime-planning approach, with decommissioning plans expected to develop over time and be proportionate to the scale, complexity and hazard of the site.
Why it matters
While this is aimed at permit holders, it is relevant to surveyors involved with industrial, specialist or contaminated sites where radioactive substances may be present. It highlights the need to understand decommissioning obligations, waste management planning and the potential for contamination or activated materials to affect future site condition and redevelopment.
Key points
- Decommissioning planning should begin early and continue throughout the life of the site.
- Plans must be linked to the site’s waste management plan and reviewed as uncertainties reduce.
- The guidance distinguishes between simple, intermediate and complex facilities.
- Operators must demonstrate optimised solutions and best available techniques where relevant.
- Sealed-source-only operations may require a relatively simple decommissioning plan.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
