TABLE OF CONTENTS The acceptance by society of risks associated with radiation and radioactive materials is conditional on the benefits to be gained from their use. A key issue, if radiation and radionuclides are to continue to be used and accepted by the public, is the safe management of nuclear waste. There is justifiable public concern about nuclear waste management, in particular, that planned for high-level waste (HLW), which may include spent nuclear fuel and spent sealed radioactive sources. Lack of public acceptance often leads to the so-called "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) syndrome. Although this lack of acceptance has a number of roots, the central issue is that of safety and it is not only a question of achieving safety but also of convincing people that safety is achievable. Despite the technical difficulties associated with HLW disposal, it cannot be postponed and remains the responsibility of the current generation. The essence of this requirement is expressed in the internationally approved document "The Principles of Radioactive Waste Management" (IAEA, Vienna, 1995), which has involved input from many countries with experience of the nuclear industry. Moreover, the IAEA has approved procedures for the safety of un-reprocessed spent fuel as well as reprocessed high level radioactive waste management through the Joint Convention, which establishes commonly shared safety objectives and sets out specific obligations for states generating such materials. The Radioactive Waste Management Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Nuclear Energy Agency approved the Environmental and Ethical Basis of...
