UK Environment Agency: Consultation on future regulation of disposal of radioactive

We are responsible for regulating radioactive waste disposals by means of authorisations issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA93). We regularly review the authorisations for the disposal of radioactive wastes from nuclear sites. We do this to ensure that:

* radiation impacts on the public are as low as reasonably achievable and within national and international limits and constraints;

* UK policy requirements are implemented;

* environmental impacts are prevented or minimised

* existing limitations and conditions within the authorisation remain appropriate. or are changed if appropriate.

We have reviewed all five of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's (UKAEA) current RSA93 authorisations for waste disposals from the Windscale site. We have considered the structure and number of all disposal limits and proposed some changes.. We recognise that disposals of radioactive waste from plants at Windscale are relatively small.

We want to make changes to the authorisation and regulation of radioactive waste disposals from Windscale. You can read about these in the explanatory document and the associated draft Certificate of Authorisation.

We now want your views on our proposals. The closing date for responses is 30th June 2005.

Following the end of the consultation period we will produce a Decision Document summarising the views we receive and our final proposals. This should be published by November 2005.