About us Austria is responsible for the safe disposal of radioactive waste.

In 1978 the Austrian citizens decided against the use of nuclear power. Since 1999 this has also been incorporated in the constitution. Therefore no highly radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants are produced in Austria. However, low and intermediate level radioactive waste is still created through the use of radioactive materials in medicine, industry and research. In addition radioactive waste arises from the decommissioning of (research) facilities that are no longer required.

Austria has prepared a National Programme for Radioactive Waste Management in order to address the final disposal of radioactive waste. For the implementation of this programme the Austrian federal government established the Austrian Board for Radioactive Waste Management. Its aim is to develop a framework for decision-making and compile recommendations for the safe disposal of Austria’s radioactive waste. The coordination of the Austrian Board for Radioactive Waste Management is carried out by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK).

The Austrian Board for Radioactive Waste Management is comprised of scientists, NGOs, representatives of Federal and State level authorities as well as members of the general public. The council holds two to three meetings every year. The composition and operation of the Austrian Board for Radioactive Waste Management are laid down in its rules of procedure. Its tasks are listed in a mandate from the Austrian federal government.

“The establishment of the Austrian Board for Radioactive Waste Management is an important step in a process towards finding the optimal solution for the management of Austria’s radioactive waste shall be found” Leonore Gewessler, Minister for Climate Action

The Austrian Board for Radioactive Waste Management is supported by a dedicated Secretariat at the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety.