Nuclear regulatory authority
The 'regulatory body' is composed of federal government and Länder authorities. On the federal level, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE), and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) are the regulatory authorities in charge.
Nuclear activities
- 6 nuclear power plant units (5 PWR, 1 BWR) at 6 different sites.
- 2 research reactors with a capacity of more than 50 kW thermal power, 4 small training reactors.
- 1 uranium enrichment plant, 1 fuel element fabrication plant.
- Decommissioning and dismantling activities.
- Medical units, industrial radioactive sources.
- Transportation of radioactive material.
Radioactive waste and spent fuel management
A number of facilities serve the purposes of treatment, conditioning and storage (central storage facilities and local storage facilities) of radioactive waste and spent fuel.
For radioactive waste with negligible heat generation, including waste from the operation and dismantling of nuclear power plants, but also waste from industry, research and medicine, the Konrad mine in Salzgitter is currently being converted into a repository.
The site for a high-level radioactive waste repository will be determined by a selection procedure. It is planned to conclude the procedure by 2031. Subsequently, the facility needs to be licensed and built. The goal is to be able to dispose of waste around 2050.
Emplacement of low-level and intermediate-level radioactive waste in the Morsleben repository for radioactive waste has been concluded. This repository is to be closed and safely sealed for the long term.
Between 1967 and the end of 1978, low and intermediate level radioactive waste had been emplaced in the Asse II mine. According to § 57b AtG, the Asse II mine must be closed immediately. Closure is to take place after retrieval of the radioactive waste. The concept of retrieval provides for recovering and conditioning of the radioactive waste and to store it until disposal.
Main legal instruments
- The framework conditions for legislative and administrative powers in general are stipulated in the Constitution (Basic Law/GG).
- The Atomic Energy Act (AtG) provides the legal framework for the use of nuclear energy and the safe operation of all nuclear installations in Germany.
- The Radiation Protection Act (StrlSchG) provides the legal framework for the protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation.
- In addition to the general provisions of the Atomic Energy Act and the Radiation Protection Act, several ordinances stipulate more detailed rules.
- Act on the Search for and Selection of a Site for a Repository for High-Level Radioactive Waste (Repository Site Selection Act – StandAG)
- Technical details are established in a system of guidelines, technical standards and requirements.
Last updated in August 2020
