NEA Mandates and Structures


Working Party on Deep Geological Repositories and Nuclear Liability (WPDGR)

Chair(s): Benjamin MAQUESTIEAU, Belgium
Secretary:  Ximena VASQUEZ-MAIGNAN
(ximena.vasquez@oecd-nea.org)
Vice-Chair(s): Thierry SCHNEIDER, France
Nuria PRIETO SERRANO, Spain
Michael EGAN, Sweden
Andrew MAYALL, United Kingdom
William J. BOYLE, United States
Member(s):All NEA member countries*
Russia (Suspended*)
*Russian Federation suspended pursuant to a decision of the OECD Council.
Full participant(s): European Commission
Under the NEA Statute
Observer(s)(International Organisation): International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
By agreement
Date of creation:17 November 2016
End of mandate:17 November 2022

Mandate (Document reference):

  • Summary Record of the Meeting of the Nuclear Law Committee held on 23-24 March 2016 [NEA/SEN/NLC(2016)4/REV1]
  • Working Party on Deep Geological Repositories and Nuclear Liability (WPDGR), Draft Mandate [NEA/NLC/DOC(2016)6]
  • Summary Record of the Meeting of the Nuclear Law Committee held on 16‑17 November 2016 [NEA/SEN/NLC(2017)1/REV1]
  • Working Party on Deep Geological Repositories and Nuclear Liability (WPDGR), Draft Mandate for 2019-2022 [NEA/NLC/WPDGR(2019)1]
  • Summary Record of the Meeting of the Nuclear Law Committee held on 27-28 June 2019 [forthcoming]

Mandate (Document extract):

Extract from document NEA/NLC/WPDGR(2019)1

Deep geological repository (DGR) projects for radioactive waste containing long-lived radionuclides raise specific nuclear liability issues in light of the related potential risks and the long-term behaviour of the installation. In assessing how the nuclear liability regimes should apply to DGR projects the working party will also identify and address issues of relevance to near surface disposal installations in the course of its work.

The Working Party has a mandate to:

1.    enhance common understanding of radioactive waste long-term behaviour and nuclear liability regimes among legal and technical experts;

2.    assess the technical and radiological aspects of DGRs that must be taken into account when addressing nuclear liability issues;

3.    examine and assess how nuclear liability regime(s) should be applied to DGRs throughout the pre-and post-closure phases, as well as related financial security and insurance, taking into account the current management practices for radioactive waste;

4.    assess subsequently whether the outcomes agreed for DGRs can also be applied to near surface disposal facilities.