Waste Technology Section

Decommissioning of Facilities

Photo courtesy: MELOX

Decommissioning represents the final phase in the lifecycle of a nuclear facility. It involves all activities undertaken to remove radioactive contamination from and to dismantle the facility with the aim that it may be released from regulatory control and the site reused for other purposes. These activities require timely and effective management. Planning and implementation of a decommissioning project is a complex and multi-disciplinary process involving both technical and non-technical aspects.

IAEA’s Assistance to Member States

The IAEA's Waste Technology Section assists Member States by providing information and guidance on strategic, organizational, managerial and technological aspects of decommissioning, including the assessment and minimization of waste requiring dedicated, often long-term management. Mainly focusing on publications that provide basis for implementing national policies and strategies as well as guidance on good international practices, the working area of the Waste Technology Section also covers facilitating collaborative projects, organizing training courses and workshops and providing direct assistance.

Read more on the various forms of assistance.