EA concludes consultation on radioactive waste disposal facilities guidance
The Environment Agency (EA), alongside with the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), has concluded a consultation on updated guidance for regulating near-surface and geological disposal facilities for solid radioactive waste. The consultation, which ran from 12 November 2024 to 28 February 2025, invited stakeholders to comment on the draft Guidance on requirements for authorisation (GRA) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Staged Regulation Guidance for England, with a separate Scottish consultation addressing near-surface disposal only. The updated guidance replaces the 2009 GRAs and 2012 supplements, providing concise, accessible requirements for environmental permitting, aligning with current UK government policy, international standards and regulatory experience, and clarifying the expectations for operators throughout the development, operation and closure of disposal facilities. A total of 43 responses were received from industry, public bodies and community stakeholders, all published with personal information removed, and these will inform amendments to the guidance, which is expected to be published in 2026 alongside a summary of consultation outcomes. The guidance supports the safe, secure and environmentally protective disposal of solid radioactive waste and reflects the agencies’ commitment to transparency, public engagement and consistent regulation across the UK.