When nuclear energy was first used for peaceful purposes in Switzerland, the construction of deep geological repositories required to manage the radioactive waste was still a distant prospect.

Storage in deep geological repositories is internationally recognised as the safest way to manage radioactive waste. Switzerland too will follow this path. The search for a suitable site for a deep geological repository that is currently under way is prompting many questions from the general public.

The “Sectoral Plan for Deep Geological Repositories” specifies how sites for deep geological radwaste repositories are to be selected in Switzerland. Sectoral plans are used as tools in spatial and regional planning in order to organise cooperation between the Federal government and the cantons. The concept for the sectoral plan for deep geological repositories was…

As part of Stage 3 and in order to facilitate a full comparison of the relevant safety of each site, the remaining sites are the subject of detailed investigation. Geological data is expanded – if necessary by further geological studies.

The sectoral plan for deep geological repositories describes the site selection procedure for the deep repositories required in Switzerland. The procedure is under the direction of the Swiss Federal Office for Energy (SFOE) and is divided into 3 stages.

At the time Switzerland embarked on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the construction of a deep geological repository for the disposal of radioactive waste was something for the distant future.

According to the Nuclear Energy Act (NEA), radioactive waste that occurs in Switzerland must basically be managed within the country. The producers of waste are responsible for its management.

The concept of final storage in deep geological formations has become established as a means of safe radwaste management in order to ensure lasting protection against radioactive waste for people and for the environment.