Chair(s): |
Andrew PARMENTER, Canada Judith FLÜGGE, Germany |
Secretary: |
Shogo NISHIKAWA (shogo.nishikawa@oecd-nea.org) |
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Vice-Chair(s): |
Lucie MAREDA, Czech Republic Motoyuki YAMADA, Japan Sung-Hoon JI, Korea (Rep. of) Alice IONESCU, Romania Tiziana MISSANA, Spain Florian KOBER, Switzerland Paul E. MARINER, United States | ||
Member(s): | All NEA member countries* | ||
Russia (Suspended*) | |||
*Russian Federation suspended pursuant to a decision of the OECD Council. | |||
EU participation: |
The European Union (EU) takes part in the work of the NEA, in accordance with the NEA Statute and the Supplementary Protocol to the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. | ||
Observer(s)(International Organisation): |
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) By agreement | ||
Date of creation: | 01 January 2017 | ||
End of mandate: | 31 December 2024 |
Mandate (Document reference):
Mandate (Document extract):
Extract from document NEA/RWM/IGSC(2022)1/FINAL
Background
Deep geological repositories use a combination of engineered and natural barriers to safely contain and isolate radioactive waste from people and the environment. There is a consensus among major nuclear regulatory and monitoring organisations that repositories are the responsible way forward for the long-term management of these materials. The area of repository development for high-level radioactive waste is a strategic area in the programme of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC). Among the different geological formations considered suitable for hosting geological repositories, crystalline rocks are characterised by their high strength, which provides high rock-stability, as well as their low heat-sensitivity, permeability, and dissolution properties.
Many countries are developing or planning to develop geological disposal facilities for radioactive waste or underground research facilities in crystalline rocks. Although an advanced scientific and geotechnical understanding of crystalline rocks has been accumulated by the dedicated research carried out by these countries, there are research areas in which member countries may benefit from joint R&D efforts. In that context, the NEA established the Expert Group on Geological Repositories in Crystalline Rock Formations (“CRC” or “Crystalline Club”) in 2017.
Scope
The CRC promotes the exchange of information and shares state-of-the-art approaches and methods to improve the understanding of crystalline rocks as a host rock for a high-level radioactive waste repository.
Objectives
The CRC promotes the exchange of scientific evidence and information related to the safety of developing geological disposal facilities in crystalline rock formations. To further its goal, the CRC will:
Working methods
The functional operation of the CRC is discussed and refined at plenary and bureau meetings of this body. In addition to discussions that evaluate its programme of work and review progress on specific activities, the CRC may also periodically undertake more in-depth evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the CRC and update the overall direction of the programme of work. Any decision(s) of the CRC are made in its plenary meetings or through written procedure by mutual agreement.
Membership
The CRC is a task-oriented expert group. It is composed of senior technical experts with experience in evaluating and/or reviewing the understanding of crystalline rock as host rocks for deep geologic disposal projects. Members represent waste management agencies, regulatory authorities, academic institutions, and research and development institutions. CRC members possess a level of seniority in their organisations such that they can mobilise resources within their organisations to contribute to CRC initiatives. The CRC is managed by its Bureau, including a Chair, a Co-Chair and several Vice Chairs.
Interactions
Through the Integration Group for the Safety Case (IGSC), the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) and the Secretariat, the CRC will co-operate with the NEA standing technical committees and their subsidiary bodies when relevant. It may also collaborate with the NEA Data Bank.
Deliverables
The CRC will produce relevant reports, presentations or workshops with the support of the Secretariat.