Damaged waste drums: References to the Konrad mine misleading

In reports on damaged waste drums it is frequently stated that already years ago, these drums should have been emplaced in the Konrad repository.

Fact is:

• Each owner of radioactive waste is responsible for keeping their waste in a safe manner and in accordance with the provisions in force. This duty does exist irrespective of the question when a repository will be available. Responsibility for the state of the waste drums is with their owner.
• Indications to the Konrad repository are also misleading because waste drums are no waste packages suitable for disposal. They could therefore not be directly disposed of in the Konrad repository, even if the repository would be taken into operation today. If corroded waste drums are stored in interim storage facilities, that means that the drums have so far not been packaged in a way that is suitable for disposal – although the waste acceptance requirements for the Konrad mine have been known since the 1990s and have been approved since 2002.