The Danish system for radioactive waste management has been evaluated by an international expert group. The report is now available, containing 7 recommendations and 2 suggestions.

An expert panel comprising 4 international experts in radioactive waste management from Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Lithuania, respectively, along with 3 representatives from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), constituted the ARTEMIS mission. This mission visited Denmark from May 1-9, 2022, to conduct observations and evaluate the Danish system for radioactive waste management.

Through this evaluation, Denmark fulfills its obligation under the Waste Directive (2011/70/Euratom), which mandates that efforts in this area must be evaluated every ten years.
The recommendations and suggestions are compiled into a report, where the rationale behind them is described in detail. This report is now available in its final form.

Link to the report.

ARTEMIS
The purpose of ARTEMIS, the “Integrated Review Service For Radioactive Waste And Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning And Remediation”, is to provide independent expert recommendations based on the standards outlined by the IAEA.

ARTEMIS missions involve visits to individual countries and discussions with relevant stakeholders.

In addition to Danish Decommissioning, the ARTEMIS mission to Denmark has also engaged in dialogue with representatives from the Ministry of Health, The Danish Health Authority, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, and The Danish Emergency Management Agency.

Consequently, the ARTEMIS report provides recommendations not only for Danish Decommissioning and the practical waste management and its organisation, but equally for the legislation and frameworks established for radioactive waste in Denmark.

A Valuable Tool for the Future
Ole Kastbjerg Nielsen, Director of Danish Decommissioning, views the ARTEMIS report positively.

”For us at Danish Decommissioning, the report serves as a valuable tool for our future work. In addition to the specific recommendations and suggestions, our engagement with ARTEMIS has also provided beneficial guidance for our ongoing efforts in managing Denmark's radioactive waste.”

Ole Kastbjerg Nielsen further explains.

”According to the Waste Directive, Denmark must undergo an evaluation of its overall radioactive waste management system at least every ten years. It is satisfactory that the report concludes the Danish system is, overall, well-functioning and adheres to international safety standards.”

Conclusion
In the report, beyond the 7 recommendations and 2 suggestions, it can be read that the ARTEMIS expert panel, overall, views Denmark's radioactive waste management positively, and by extension, the work of Danish Decommissioning.

”In summary, the ARTEMIS Review Team considers that the Danish system for management of spent fuel and radioactive waste has a well-developed infrastructure, provides robustness, effectiveness and safety now and in the future. Denmark has demonstrated the commitment and ability to enhance the safety of radioactive waste and spent fuel management” – ARTEMIS report, p. 2.

The 7 recommendations and 2 suggestions can be found in the full report available here.

Inquiries
For inquiries regarding the ARTEMIS report, please contact Communications Advisor Casper Boe Jensen at casje@dekom.dk