(b) Measuring Methods: For radioactive waste from nuclear fuel cycles in
packaged/conditioned form, broken down into the different waste types according to
national classifications and regulations or as specified above, the basic unit should be
the actual volume in m
3
; for spent fuel, tHM. For radioactive waste not yet in
conditioned form, the volumes used should be those based on the conditioning method
assumed the most likely to be used later for disposal. The indicator is defined, for
each waste type and for each industry or activity, as the ratio of radioactive waste
awaiting disposal to the corresponding total generated radioactive waste.
Efforts are necessary worldwide for the identification, measuring and monitoring of
radioactive waste generated from non-nuclear processes and activities. Appropriate
recommended standards, targets and measuring methods need to be developed for the
effective management of the radioactive waste generated from these sources.
(c) Limitations of the Indicator: There is an inevitable time lag between the
moment that the waste arises and its disposal. In the case of spent fuel and HLW, this
time lag can be on the order of several decades, and therefore trends should be
interpreted carefully. Some differences among countries may arise due to differences in the classification
system used in establishing national inventories.
(d) Alternative Definitions/Indicators:Accumulated quantity of radioactive waste
awaiting disposal; also, ratio of radioactive waste properly disposed of to total
generated radioactive waste. ASSESSMENT OF DATA (a) Data Needed to Compile the Indicator: The accumulated quantities of the
various radioactive waste types generated and awaiting proper disposal as defined
nationally or classified as • High-level radioactive waste (HLW);
• Low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste, long lived (LILW-LL);
• Low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste, short lived (LILW-SL);
• Spent fuel; or
• Radioactive waste from non-nuclear processes and activities.
