GovWire

This guide addresses the characterisation of both radioactive and hazardous non-radioactive contaminants in solid radioactive waste. It also identifies the other physical and material properties of solid radioactive waste that may need to be characterised to determine how it will behave when it is processed, transported, stored or disposed.

It aligns with other relevant guidance documents and signposts out to these where necessary. It is also consistent with international good practice in recommending the adoption of a lifecycle and systematic approach to characterisation. It draws on the Data Quality Objectives (DQO) methodology and identifies the key considerations when scheduling characterisation activities over the lifecycle of a facility or project. Within the lifecycle context, this GPG considers characterisation of waste for the following purposes:

• as part of site characterisation or facility characterisation
• as part of the waste sentencing process, to ensure waste is correctly classified / categorised when it is produced and complies with the WAC/CFA for treatment, storage or disposal solutions
• to enable the optimum waste processing solution to be selected and designed. Selection of the optimum waste processing solution will also ensure that waste packages can be safely transported, stored and disposed.