The Dutch Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS) has published the definitive version of its guideline ‘Preparation of a decommissioning plan for non-nuclear applications’. A decommissioning plan can be mandatory in case of partial or full termination of large-scale applications of radiation. The guideline supports operators in preparing such a plan.
Decommissioning plan for safe termination of radiation applications
Besides nuclear power plants, radiation is also in extensive use in various other applications in the Netherlands. For certain large-scale applications of radiation, terminating these activities may require additional care. For example, when dismantling a big particle accelerator or hospital cyclotron, demolition will also require the removal of larger amounts of radioactively contaminated material.
Operators who make use of radiation at a large scale must therefore prepare a special decommissioning plan. This plan describes how they will make an inventory of all the radioactive material relating to these applications and ensure safe removal.
Guideline clarifies regulations for companies
The guideline offers entrepreneurs a starting point for the preparation of a decommissioning plan. Additionally, we have made it clearer for which operations this guidance is intended. We have also clarified the guideline’s legal status. A guideline is not legally binding in itself. Instead, it describes what entrepreneurs must do to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. This reduces companies’ regulatory burden.
Conclusion of consultation
At the end of June 2025, a draft version of the guideline was shared with various stakeholders. These parties had until the end of August 2025 to submit a response. Some responses were received later. Our process took all responses into account. We created a brief report explaining which responses were submitted and how they were included in the guideline’s final version. All stakeholders who took part in the consultation received copies of this report.
What’s new
We already had a guideline on the preparation of a decommissioning plan for non-nuclear applications. Much of the new guideline consists of the same content.
Key changes:
- The new guideline aligns with the latest international recommendations of IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Accordingly, the desired structure of a decommissioning plan has been extensively revised.
- The stakeholder responses inspired certain changes, such as attention to opportunities for recycling, material reuse and ‘decommissioning by design’.
- Further clarification has been provided regarding operators’ gradual approach, whereby the decommissioning plan is worked out in increasing detail throughout the lifetime of a facility.
- It has been clarified that a decommissioning plan doesn’t always have to include a security plan as well. For companies required to have a security plan, the decommissioning plan must also include a description of how security will be stepped down as part of decommissioning.
- As a service to entrepreneurs, the guideline also addresses other concerns falling outside the immediate scope such as asbestos, environmental impact, EIA requirements and safety and health.
About ANVS guidelines
Guidelines are informational documents published by the ANVS to support licensees. A guideline clarifies the ANVS’s views on a specific topic. Licensees can then use this information as a starting point. Guidelines are not linked to a license or legislation and are non-binding in character. The content is often technical and specific to the subject matter, but can also help give the general public more insight into the roles of the ANVS and licensees.