Since its foundation, the RSK has been engaged in the exchange of experiences with partner organisations from other countries which - as is the case with the RSK - are independent commissions established in accordance with national regulations. The peer review of occurrences and findings in the context of safety, the joint discussion of technical issues and the exchange on different approaches to safety concepts form an essential prerequisite for the further development of reactor safety and the safe disposal of radioactive wastes in an effective manner.

supplemented by a preface of 19 March 2018

Preface

Ad Article 2

With the establishment of the Nuclear Waste Management Commission (“Entsorgungskommission” – ESK)" at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety on 12.06.2008 and its first meeting on 30.06.2008, radioactive waste management has become a topic of consultations of the ESK (www.entsorgungskommission.de), the RSK Committee on FUEL SUPPLY AND WASTE MANAGEMENT (VE) ceased to exist.

In performing its tasks, the RSK, its committees and working groups are supported by a general secretariat. The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety  (BMUKN) accommodated the general secretariat at the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE); it is assigned to the Department N (Nuclear Safety) of the BASE but is not bound by technical instructions of the BASE. The RSK general secretariat is located in Bonn - as the Directorate-General for the "Nuclear Safety, Radiation Protection" of the BMUKN.

The way of working of the RSK is regulated by a Statute [39 KB] that has been announced publicly (Federal Gazette 1999, Page 201) and supported by a General Secretariat established at the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS).

Requests for advice

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) requests the Commission for advice. The Commission may also address topics for advice on its own.

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) appoints the members of the Commission for a period of up to three calendar years. A direct reappointment is possible.

Committee on Waste Conditioning, Transport and Interim Storage (AZ)

The “Committee on Waste Conditioning, Transport and Interim Storage” (AZ) carries out consultations on general safety issues in connection with the conditioning of radioactive waste as well as the transport and interim storage of radioactive substances. As far as the topics are related to the dismantling of nuclear facilities, these are dealt with in close co-operation with the “Committee on Decommissioning” (ST).

The RSK is widely acknowledged as the main body that, with its expertise, determines the state of the art in science and technology in the field of reactor safety for Germany and advises the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety  (BMUKN) on the extent to which the operators of nuclear installations fulfil the requirements regarding the necessary precautions (damage and risk prevention) through appropriate equipment, organisation and management.

All results and consultations of RSK are listed here.