1. National Radioactive Waste Management Agency Bill
25 June 2008
Presented by:

2. Outline Background International Practice
National Radioactive Waste Management Agency Bill

3. Activities generating Radwaste
Background
Activities generating Radwaste
Electricity production
Radiopharmaceuticals production
Radioisotope Production
Decontamination and decommissioning waste
Research and development

4. Status of Radioactive waste in RSA
Background…
Status of Radioactive waste in RSA
Spent Fuel (HLW) – Generated At Koeberg and at SAFARI-1 at NECSA
Koeberg Spent fuel - about 95% of total spent fuel inventory
Low and Intermediate Level Waste (LILW) from Koeberg disposed at Vaalputs
LILW from NECSA still on the Pelindaba site

5. White Paper on Energy Policy 1998
Background…
White Paper on Energy Policy 1998
Develop a radioactive waste management policy
Current governance and management framework
Nuclear Energy Act: Authority over Management of Radioactive Waste and Storage of irradiated fuel vests in the Minister
Regulations made in consultation with Ministers – Environmental Affairs & Tourism and Water Affairs & Forestry

6. Current governance and management framework
Background…
Current governance and management framework
RSA acceded to the IAEA Joint Convention in 2006
Eskom manages own waste, LILW to Vaalputs
Necsa manages own & waste from small operators as well, all currently on-site
National Nuclear Regulator issue nuclear authorisations and implements compliance programmes

7. Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy, 2005
Background…
Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy, 2005
Lasting Long-Term solution to radioactive waste
Safe Management
Adequate Provision for radioactive waste management
Institutional Framework

8. Background… Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy
National Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (NCRWM)
members: DEAT, DWAF, Health & NNR.
National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (NRWMA)
Radioactive Waste Management Fund (RWMF)

9. International Best Practice
International Best Practice in the nuclear sector to have an independent Agency managing the disposal of Radioactive Waste
Generators of Radioactive Waste Should not be entrusted the duty of also managing waste disposal
An independent Agency frees the generators of waste to concentrate on their core mandate.
Countries that have independent agencies include France, Spain, Hungary, Canada, Japan, Belgium etc.

10. National Radioactive Waste Management Agency Bill: Purpose
Establish the National Radioactive Waste Management Agency.
Agency will be responsible for Management of Radioactive Waste Disposal on a national basis, on behalf of the Minister.
The Agency will be wholly owned by the State.

11. Control and Management
Controlled by a Board of Directors
On the Board: DME, DEAT, DWAF, Health (+ no more than 5 other directors)
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer

12. Functions of the Agency
Meet institutional Obligations of the Minister related to management of Radioactive Waste as provided for by the Nuclear Energy Act
Design and implement Disposal Solutions
Develop Radioactive Waste Acceptance and Disposal criteria
Assess and inspect the acceptability of waste for disposal and to issue disposal certificate
Manage, Operate and Monitor operational disposal Facilities
Manage and Monitor Closed disposal facilities

13. Functions of the Agency…
Investigate the need for any new disposal facilities
Site, design and construct new facilities as required
Define and conduct research and development aimed at long term radioactive waste management
Maintain a national radioactive waste database
Manage any Ownerless radioactive waste on behalf of the State

14. Functions of the Agency…
Assist generators of small quantities radioactive waste in the management of their waste
Provide information on radioactive waste management to the public living around disposal facilities and the public in general

15. Licensing of Agency Financial Management
The Agency’s facilities will be licensed by the National Nuclear Regulator
Financial Management
Agency will be a Schedule 3 public entity in terms of the PFMA
Agency will be allowed to accumulate surplus funds

16. Funds Money appropriated by Parliament
Money transferred from the Radioactive Waste Management Fund (once established)
Money received for services rendered to waste generators (cost recovery)
Income or interest earned on cash balances
Loans raised in terms of the PFMA
Donations or contributions with the approval of the Minister

17. Disposal Certificate
Generators shall apply to the CEO for a waste disposal certificate
CEO may determine conditions necessary to ensure compliance with the radioactive waste acceptance criteria

18. Responsibilities of Generators of radwaste
Technical, Financial and Administrative management of wastes at their premises and during transportation
Develop and implement site specific waste management plans based on National Policy
Provide all relevant information on radwaste destined for disposal
Demonstrate compliance with conditions of disposal certificate

19. Assets and Liabilities
All assets, liabilities, licences, obligations and authorisations of the Vaalputs National Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility operated by NECSA will vest in the Agency
All employees of Necsa at the Vaalputs Disposal Facility will become staff members of the Agency

20. Regulations
Bill provides for the Minister to make regulations

21. Bill development Process
According to Nuclear Energy Act, 46 of 1999, Minister is responsible for Management of Radioactive Waste and Storage of irradiated fuel.
Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy of 2005, requires the Agency to be established by an Act of Parliament within 5 years from 2005
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism consulted on the draft Bill

22. Thank you