Radiological impacts
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Energy

Radiological impacts

EU countries are required, before granting a new discharge authorisation for a nuclear installation, to assess the potential radiological impact of those discharges on other EU countries. 

EU countries must provide detailed information to the Commission on the potential health impact that any nuclear installation may have on another EU country, related to the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form, before it can be authorised.

Effects of new nuclear installations on other EU countries

Commission Recommendation 2010/635/Euratom defines the information that EU countries must submit to allow the Commission to correctly evaluate the potential health impact of a new plan. 

This information allows the Commission to assess whether the planned disposal of radioactive waste is liable to result in the contamination of the water, soil or airspace of another EU country. It must include the envisaged authorised releases of radioactive substances under normal operation, and also a description of what could happen in the event of an accident. 

A dedicated group of experts is appointed for a 5-year period, as referred to in the Euratom Treaty Article 37, to assist the Commission in the evaluation work.

Article 37 Commission Opinions 

The Commission, after the evaluation of the information provided by the EU country, issues an Opinion, which is submitted to the country concerned and published in the Official Journal of the European Union.