Waste Technology Section

Radioactive Waste Management Information Systems


Rationale:

The project is established in relation to the Agency’s statutory function of fostering the exchange of scientific and technical information (Article III.A.3). It consists of improving, augmenting and integrating its systems to collect, manage and disseminate information on radioactive waste management related activities in Member States and international organizations, including the Agency’s own work. Enhanced access to technical and scientific information by waste management organizations in Member States will be a key goal.

Objective:

To increase the availability of information on the global status of radioactive waste to Member States by maintaining and updating a comprehensive source of information and to implement tools to develop the exchange of information.

Responsible Officer : John KINKER

Details:

An authoritative source of information and data on waste management is needed by waste management organizations, government bodies and individual scientists in Member States, as well as by other United Nations organizations. Also, many Member States rely for their national planning and reporting to international organizations on waste management and related issues on a reliable, robust and consistent body of information. No globally comprehensive source of such information exists at present. The Agency is therefore gathering, on a global scale, data on research, inventories, facilities and management practices on radioactive and other wastes for analysis and dissemination to its Member States and other interested parties, using up-to-date Internet technology. Improvement in waste management can be achieved by the use of appropriate technology and by facilitating the exchange of information and expertise on the various issues involved, for instance by advisory missions, expert contact groups and international peer reviews of waste management programmes and practices and by organizing and cooperating in conferences and symposia on important waste management issues. The Agency is uniquely placed to acquire and disseminate information on radioactive waste management through co-operation with its Member States.

Activities and Databases: