ARTEMIS missions

Source: www.iaea.org

The thematic focus of an ARTEMIS mission (Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning and Remediation) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is on the management of radioactive waste. The disposal procedure is examined in addition to the legal and sub-legal regulations as well as the tasks and responsibilities of the authorities. The mission looks at which types of waste are produced in a state, and how the disposal is planned and handled. Further to the regulatory framework, the technical solution and implementation as well as financing issues of disposal also play a role.

At the invitation of the Federal Government, and with the participation of BASE, an ARTEMIS mission took place in Germany between 22 September and 4 October 2019.

The world's first ARTEMIS follow-up mission took place from 6 to 12 November 2022. It was similar to the actual mission, but smaller in scale. The ARTEMIS follow-up mission served to re-assess the specific measures, changes and improvements since the 2019 mission.

Preparation

A self-assessment was carried out at national level in preparation for the ARTEMIS mission and the follow-up missions. Under the leadership of the BMUV and with the participation of state authorities, operators, other organisations and BASE, work on the missions started several months in advance. Preparations for the follow-up mission were mainly based on the assessment of the 2019 mission. The Federal Government submitted the respective self-assessments together with further documents to the IAEA in August 2019 and September 2022.

Procedure

During the ARTEMIS mission and its follow-up missions, the international experts will conduct interviews with representatives of German nuclear waste management institutions, including BASE, on the basis of the self-assessments.

Based on these discussions and the documents already provided in advance, the experts will assess how Germany implements the IAEA requirements and identify improvement potential.

Findings

The findings of the ARTEMIS mission were documented in a public report. The recommendations presented form an important basis for continued improvement in the field of nuclear safety and nuclear waste management in Germany. With regard to mutual learning, these findings can also provide added value for nuclear safety at European and international level.

BASE participation in ARTEMIS missions

As a federal authority in the field of nuclear waste disposal, the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) is involved in the preparation and implementation of ARTEMIS missions. BASE supervises nuclear waste repositories under nuclear law, and issues licences for interim storage facilities for nuclear fuel in accordance with Section 6 of the Atomic Energy Act. Furthermore, BASE regulates the search for a site for a repository for high-level radioactive waste, monitors the execution of the procedure, and organises public participation in the site selection procedure.

The overall responsibility for the ARTEMIS missions lies with the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).

The 2019 ARTEMIS mission was the first of its kind in Germany. In addition to the BMUV and BASE, other institutions were involved both at federal and at Länder level. The IAEA has summarised and published the findings of the 2019 Mission in a final report. The observations, notes and recommendations of the international experts serve as a guideline for all organisations involved in the disposal of radioactive waste, to solve the disposal issue in Germany in the best possible way and to ensure the protection of human beings and the environment.