Transboundary impacts of radioactive waste disposal: reporting and notification obligations (Euratom Article 37) from 1 January 2021
What operators need to do in terms of submitting plans for radioactive waste disposal to the European Commission under Euratom Article 37 from 2021.
New rules for January 2021
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year.
This page tells you what you’ll need to do from 1 January 2021. It will be updated if anything changes.
Check what else you need to do during the transition period.
Under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, the UK government (on behalf of operators) submits information to the European Commission on plans to dispose of radioactive waste. This allows the Commission to make a determination as to whether implementation of a plan is liable to result in radioactive contamination of a member state. Operators must await an opinion from the Commission before obtaining domestic environmental permits or proceeding with a project.
From 1 January 2021, the requirement for the UK to submit information to the European Commission on plans for the disposal of radioactive waste will no longer apply.
Implications
The UK will no longer submit information to the European Commission on plans for the disposal of radioactive waste.
The UK is consulting with stakeholders on alternative measures to keep neighbouring states informed of radioactive waste disposal plans in the UK.
Actions for businesses and other stakeholders
UK operators should continue to work with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to complete and return submissions and secure Commission opinions until January 2021.
UK operators who are currently developing an Article 37 submission, or are unsure if they need to complete a new submission, should contact the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for further information.
Further information
Further details of the application of the current requirements are set out in Commission Recommendation 2010/635/Euratom on the application of Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty.