IAEA Mission Finds Poland Committed to Safe Management of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel, in Line with Plans for Nuclear Power Development

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts found that Poland is making progress in safely managing its radioactive waste and spent fuel management activities, an essential part of its plans to develop nuclear energy. The experts highlighted Poland's commitment to a solid national strategy, while noting that further progress will be needed to fully implement its National Plan.

The Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning and Remediation (ARTEMIS) mission reviewed Poland's national programme for radioactive waste management, based upon the IAEA safety standards and technical guidance, as well as international good practices. The ten-day mission was held from 8 to 17 March in Warsaw at the request of the Government of Poland.

Hosted by the Polish Ministry of Energy, the mission comprised five external experts in the safe management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Sweden, as well as IAEA staff members.

Poland uses nuclear and radiation technologies across energy, medicine, industry and research sectors. Its nuclear facilities include the MARIA research reactor and the decommissioned EWA research reactor. Spent fuel is stored in dedicated facilities located in Świerk. Since the early 1960s, Poland has operated the National Radioactive Waste Repository in the town of Różan, managed by the Radioactive Waste Management Plant (ZUOP).

The Polish Government approved plans for a nuclear power programme in 2014, aiming to boost energy security and reduce coal dependency as part of its Energy Policy to 2040. In the last update of the programme, Poland indicates that the first nuclear power plant operation, featuring three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, is expected in 2036. In 2023, Poland announced plans to develop a new repository for short-lived low and intermediate level waste from the nuclear power programme as well as future institutional waste and retrieved historical waste from storage at Różan.

The ARTEMIS Review Team concludes that many aspects relevant to the safe management of radioactive waste and spent fuel in Poland are in place. At the same time, the experts encouraged the Polish Government to strengthen the practical aspects of implementing this strategy including through clear objectives for planning, ensuring adequate resources, and introducing practical milestones and performance indicators to measure progress and maintain accountability. The ARTEMIS team concluded that these improvements would help Poland address both current and future challenges in radioactive waste management while ensuring the safety of the population and environment.

Michael Egan, from the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority and team leader for the ARTEMIS mission, complimented the engagement of the Polish authorities. "We hope that our findings, based on information provided through the open and constructive engagement of key actors, will assist Poland to address both current and future challenges in this area," Egan added.

In its findings, the ARTEMIS team made several recommendations and suggestions, including:

• In the next update of the National Plan, the Government should consider presenting a reference collection of assumptions for planning, resourcing and cost estimation relating to radioactive waste and spent fuel management.
• The Government should specify a clear timeframe for deciding whether to introduce very low level waste (waste suitable for disposal in near-surface landfill facilities under limited regulatory oversight) as an additional class of radioactive waste.
• ZUOP should consider further developing the roadmap for establishment of the new near surface disposal facility intended to accommodate operational radioactive waste from nuclear power, to include account for wider aspects such as human resources and competencies.
• By engaging with all relevant actors in relation to the siting process for the new near surface disposal facility, the Government should demonstrate that the development remains in accordance with milestones in the National Plan.

In her closing remarks, IAEA Deputy Director General Karine Herviou, Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, said "Poland continues to set the pace in Europe for safe radioactive waste management, leading the way as the first EU Member State to host and now repeat an ARTEMIS peer review-clear proof of unwavering commitment to safety and trust in independent, international assessment."

Konrad Wojnarowski, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Environment of Poland stated that "Poland attaches great importance to maintaining the highest standards of safety, transparency and responsibility in the management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, and such international peer review missions play an essential role in strengthening national systems and ensuring alignment with internationally recognized safety standards."

The final report of the ARTEMIS mission will be provided to the Polish authorities within three months.

About ARTEMIS

ARTEMIS is an integrated expert review service for radioactive waste and spent fuel management, decommissioning and remediation programmes. This service is intended for facility operators and organizations responsible for radioactive waste management, as well as for regulators, national policy makers and other decision makers.

The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Additional IAEA documents such as Nuclear Energy Series publications can be included in the review basis. They include practical examples to be used by owners and operators of utilities, implementing organizations, academia and government officials in Member States, among others.