On 16 Мay, 2022 an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts started Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning and Remediation mission with the task to evaluate radioactive waste management and spent fuel management in Ignalina NPP decommissioning process (ARTEMIS).
The decommissioning and dismantling of not safety relevant equipment and radioactive waste management activities are being carried out at the permanently shut-down of Ignalina NPP phase.
The ARTEMIS mission is an instrument through which independent experts assess the compliance of a country's radioactive waste management, including spent fuel, with IAEA safety standards and proven international practice.
„The assessment of the decommissioning of Lithuanian nuclear power facilities and the management of radioactive waste and the experience of the IAEA mission experts will help to improve the management of radioactive waste and better prepare for the complex decommissioning works of the Ignalina NPP planned for the future”, – says Michail Demčenko, Head of Lithuanian State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI).
Specialists from the Ministries of Energy and Environment, VATESI, the Radiation Protection Center and SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant participate in the meetings with IAEA experts.
The periodic international expert assessment of the national radioactive waste management system is provided for in the Law on Radioactive Waste Management of the Republic of Lithuania and Council Directive 2011/70/ Euratom.