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The Role of Performance Assessment in the Regulation of Underground Disposal of Radioactive Wastes: An International Perspective
Author(s) -
Thompson B. G. J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
risk analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1539-6924
pISSN - 0272-4332
DOI - 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1999.tb00447.x
Subject(s) - process (computing) , argument (complex analysis) , risk analysis (engineering) , construct (python library) , closure (psychology) , perspective (graphical) , european union , radioactive waste , interpretation (philosophy) , business , environmental planning , engineering , political science , computer science , law , economic policy , environmental science , waste management , biochemistry , chemistry , programming language , operating system , artificial intelligence
Much has been written about the development and application of quantitative methods for estimating under uncertainty the long‐term radiological performance of underground disposal of radioactive wastes. Until recently, interest has been focused almost entirely on the technical challenges regardless of the role of the organization responsible for these analyses. Now the dialogue between regulators, the repository developer or operator, and other interested parties in the decision‐making process receives increasing attention, especially in view of some current difficulties in obtaining approvals to construct or operate deep facilities for intermediate or high‐level wastes. Consequently, it is timely to consider the options for regulators’review and evaluation of safety submissions, at the various stages in the site selection to repository closure process, and to consider, especially, the role for performance assessment (PA) within the programs of a regulator both before and after delivery of such a submission. The origins and broad character of present regulations in the European Union (EU) and in the OECD countries are outlined and some regulatory PA reviewed. The issues raised are discussed, especially in regard to the interpretation of regulations, the dangers from the desire for simplicity in argument, the use of regulatory PA to review and challenge the PA in the safety case, and the effects of the relationship between proponent and regulator. Finally, a very limited analysis of the role of PA in public hearings is outlined and recommendations are made, together with proposals for improving the mechanisms for international collaboration on technical issues of regulatory concern.