Denmark

Nuclear regulatory authority

The designated Danish Regulatory Authorities responsible for regulating nuclear safety and security, including waste safety, is the National Institute of Radiation Protection and the Danish Emergency Management Agency.The National Institute of Radiation Protection is in addition also the Regulatory Authority for radiation safety.

Nuclear activities

There are no nuclear power plants in Denmark, but one research reactor is under decommissioning and two research reactors have been fully decommissioned and released from regulatory control.

Radiation facilities are in operation (1 900 medical and 2 300 others) and transport of radioactive materials takes place.

Radioactive waste and spent fuel management

The public institution Danish Decommissioning receives, handles and stores as licensed operator all radioactive waste in Denmark. The Danish Parliament has made the principal decision to establish a repository for Danish low and medium level waste. The process with the establishment of the repository is ongoing.

There is no spent fuel management in Denmark.

Main legal instruments

• Act No. 147 of 15 April 1930 concerning the use of X-rays
• Act No. 94 of 31 March 1953 on the use etc. of radioactive substances
• Act No. 170 of 16 May 1962 on nuclear installations
• Act No. 244 of 12 May 1976 on safety and environmental aspects of nuclear installations, etc
• Act No. 660 of 10 June 2009 on Emergency Management.