Abstract
The European Commission has decided to develop, to organise and to operate a Thematic Network on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations with organisations from the European Union as well as from candidate countries, involved in decommissioning activities. The aims of the Thematic Network are to exchange experience between participating organisations and encourage continuous improvement in capability and effectiveness in all areas of decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear installations that should lead to increased competitiveness.
The Network is managed through a Steering Group with senior experts in decommissioning from various European countries. The Steering Group drives forward principally at increasing and transferring knowledge, and facilitating training and experience exchange particularly so that organisations derive maximum benefit from previous and current EC funded projects. It is also the aim of the Steering Group to promote the common understanding of key issues within the decommissioning community, to facilitate provision of relevant advice to Commission staff, and to continue the development of mutually beneficial collaborations with international organisations.
The Participants in the Thematic Network agree to take part in an exchange of scientific and technical information relating to nuclear installation decommissioning in their respective countries and subject to specific special arrangements for co-operation if desired. The defined objectives cover a broad area of interest and may create a wide spectrum of activities. In view of the available budget, priorities will have to be given and restrictions will have to be accepted in order to ensure that required results may be obtained within the framework of the initiatives that will be proposed and decided by the Participants.
The paper presents an overview of the objectives and the activities of the Thematic Network.
