CARD Project and Technology Platform in the Field of Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste

The feasibility of a Technology Platform that would provide a European framework for networking and co-operation in the field of research, development and demonstration (RD&D) for geological disposal of radioactive waste in the EU was investigated within the EU project CARD. The project was launched at the end of 2006 as a co-ordination action on research, development and demonstration priorities and strategies for geological diposal within the EU 6 th Framework Programme and was concluded in May 2008. The project involved waste management organizations (WMO) from 10 EU countries with an interest in geological disposal, including ARAO – Agency for Radwaste Management in Slovenia. During the implementation phase the project participants discussed and investigated the objectives, possible structure and working methods of a Technology Platform (TP). They also collected views and opinions from other stakeholders, such as national research providers, regulatory bodies, safety authorities and technical support organizations. In the paper the views of the stakeholders and other findings and final conclusions of the CARD project are presented. The establishment of the Technology Platform from the persepective of the Slovenian waste disposal programme is also commented.