Under the Nuclear Energy Act, Switzerland has defined storage in deep geological repositories as the means for radioactive waste disposal. Such an approach means that radioactive waste can be kept away from human habitation areas over the long term, i.e., for many millennia.

A deep geological repository consists of a rock laboratory, a pilot facility and the main facility. After construction begins, a rock laboratory will first be established on the site of the future deep geological repository. This laboratory will conduct on-site experiments on the host rock and test the properties of the site area. Only when the data obtained confirms the strict safety requirements will the construction of the other repository facility sections begin: first pilot repository, then main repository. Waste that is representative of the deep repository is stored and monitored over a long period of time in the pilot repository.

A deep geological repository is designed in such a way that the stored radioactive waste contained in it decays over time to harmless substances. Absolute containment of all waste over infinite periods is neither possible nor necessary. However, the entire storage system with its engineered and natural barriers must ensure that radionuclides or other pollutants can only enter the human habitat in non-harmful quantities.

Further Information

• Transport and Containers
• Deep geological repositories and interim storage