WENRA Working Group Meeting at the HAEA

WENRA Working Group Meeting at the HAEA

The 56th plenary meeting of the Western European Nuclear Regulators' Association (WENRA) Working Group on Waste and Decommissioning (WGWD), which deals with the harmonisation of national regulations concerning the management, interim storage and disposal of spent fuel and radioactive waste, as well as the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, was held in Budapest from 21 to 25 September 2026. The event was hosted by the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA), while the Public Limited Company for Radioactive Waste Management (PURAM) hosted the site visit, as part of the programme. The meeting was attended by 30 representatives from 19 countries.

Since its establishment in 1999, WENRA has provided a platform for cooperation among European nuclear regulatory authorities. It facilitates the exchange of regulatory experience and good practices, supports the development of common approaches to nuclear safety, and contributes to the continuous improvement of nuclear safety across Europe. The main activity of the WGWD is to develop safety reference levels for radioactive waste and spent fuel management and disposal, as well as for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. The aim is to promote a consistent approach to nuclear safety in the national regulatory frameworks of WENRA member countries.

During the Budapest meeting, the Working Group discussed a range of current issues, including the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, the management and disposal of radioactive waste and decommissioning aspects related to small modular reactors (SMRs). The agenda also included a review of the implementation of the reference levels in national legislation, the safety of deep geological repositories and the development of related regulatory capabilities, as well as an overview of the Working Group’s future activities.

As part of the event, the participants visited the National Radioactive Waste Repository in Bátaapáti. During the technical programme, the WGWD delegates gained an insight into the activities carried out by PURAM in the field of radioactive waste management and disposal in Hungary.

The WENRA WGWD plenary meeting in Hungary provided a platform for the exchange of experience among European nuclear regulatory authorities and for discussions on issues related to regulatory requirements. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the HAEA to actively contribute to the work of the WGWD and to European cooperation on maintaining and further enhancing nuclear safety.