ACTIVITIES
Radioactive waste is produced as a results of nuclear power generation as well as during usage of radioactive substances for industrial, medical and research purposes. As all other types of hazardous waste, radioactive waste also represents danger to human health and the environment. However, unlike other toxic wastes, radioactivity of all nuclear waste cannot be artificially diminished. Accordingly, if the level of hazard of a chemical or biological waste can be eliminated through decomposition procedure (such as incineration, pyrolysis, chemical deactivation and others), the only way to dispose radioactive waste is its isolation from people and the environment. One of the main objectives of the radioactive waste management department in Georgia represents radioactive waste isolation and its safe disposal in the central storage facility also physical security provision. Due to the fact that some radioactive substances preserves the ability of radiation for several thousands of years, it is necessary to guarantee their reliable isolation for the protection of future generations.
Currently, on the territory of Georgia, radioactive waste is secured and stored in the central storage facility and disposal facility.
Currently, on the territory of Georgia, radioactive waste is secured and stored in the central storage facility and disposal facility.
Activities of the Department:
- The Department at the time of the performance of its functions shell ensure the protection of human health and the environment from the harmful effects of radioactive waste taking into consideration the safety and security requirements of radioactive waste management;
- Management of state-owned radioactive waste;
- Administration of radioactive waste storage facilities and radioactive waste disposal facilities;
- Transportation of radioactive waste and radioactive substances in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia;
- Decontamination, within its competence, of areas contaminated by radioactive substances;
- Development of relevant proposals on the selection of locations for radioactive waste disposal facilities and radioactive waste storage facilities, design, construction, putting into operation and the decommissioning and closure of radioactive waste storage and disposal facilities. Also organization of the public hearing to ensure their participation in this process;
- Cooperation with international organizations on issues of radioactive waste management;
- Participation in the development of the national strategy for radioactive waste management;
- Participation in the development of the action plan for implementation of the national strategy;
- Development of relevant proposals on establishment of the safety and security requirements of radioactive waste management;
- Expert opinion preparation regarding radioactive waste management;
- Management of state-owned radioactive waste register;
- Participation in drafting legal acts in the field of radioactive waste management;
- Conducting inventory and control of nuclear materials and unused radioactive sources in radioactive storage and disposal facilities;
- Provision of information on nuclear materials stored in radioactive waste storage and disposal facilities to the person responsible for implementation of Safeguards in Georgia according to the Georgian legislation;
- Establishment of acceptance criteria for radioactive waste in radioactive waste storage and disposal facility;
- Implementation of other activities defined by the legislation of Georgia.
