ESV Euridice GIE

ONDRAF/NIRAS

ONDRAF/NIRAS is the National agency for radioactive waste and enriched fissile materials. The agency was legally created in 1980 and is responsible for managing all radioactive waste produced in Belgium. The main task of ONDRAF/NIRAS is to protect the population and the environment from the potential risks of radioactive waste, not only in the short term, but also in the long term. Consequently, ONDRAF/NIRAS is also tasked with studying, preparing and, finally, implementing the work involved in creating a repository.

SCK·CEN

The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN was established in 1952. One of the statutory activities is carrying out research into safe ways of processing and disposing of radioactive waste. SCK•CEN has built up an enviable international reputation in this field over the years. One of the research facilities is a unique underground laboratory established at a depth of 230 metres, known as the URF HADES. The SCK•CEN research is primarily financed by ONDRAF/NIRAS, and via research contracts that enjoy parallel funding from the European Commission.

ESV EURIDICE

On 18 December 2000 the articles of association were amended and the name EIG PRACLAY changed to EIG EURIDICE (European Underground Research Infrastructure for Disposal of radioactive waste In a Clay Environment). The EIG EURIDICE is responsible for managing and operating the underground research infrastructure URF HADES. However the completion of the PRACLAY project is still one of the most important objectives of the EIG EURIDICE. Ever since its inception the EIG EURIDICE has played a key role in the iterative process involved in developing concepts for disposing of radioactive waste.

The initial results of the OPHELIE mock-up and the preparation of the PRACLAY experiment have also raised unanswered questions concerning the Belgian reference concept as a result of which it has been revised. Such an approach is extremely important in guaranteeing that there is sufficient flexibility in the concept development process, so that new insights and recent technical information is invariably taken into account. This is essential for enhancing the credibility of and confidence in the concept.


	ONDRAF/NIRAS and the SCK•CEN concluded an economic interest grouping, PRACLAY, in 1995 with the aim of facilitating and developing their activities. The main objective of EIG PRACLAY was to complete the PRACLAY project so as to demonstrate the feasibility of disposing of radioactive waste in deep clay layers. The PRACLAY project mainly involves expanding the URF HADES on an industrial basis, the PRACLAY experiment (comprising various in-situ tests to help demonstrate the feasibility of disposing of radioactive waste in deep clay layers) and the OPHELIE mock-up.

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