Nuclear regulatory authority

The “regulatory body” is composed of federal government and Länder government authorities. On the federal level the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety [2] (BMUB) and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection [3] (BfS)  are the regulatory authorities in charge.

Nuclear activities

• 8 nuclear power plant units (6 PWR, 2 BWR) at 7 different sites.

• 4 research reactors with a capacity of more than 50 kW thermal power, 4 small training reactors.

• 1 uranium enrichment plant, 1 fuel element fabrication plant.

• Decommissioning and dismantling activities.

• Medical units, industrial radioactive sources.

• Transportation of radioactive material.

Radioactive waste and spent fuel management

A number of facilities in operation serve the purposes of treatment, conditioning and interim storage (central interim storage facilities and local interim storage facilities) of radioactive waste. Waste management facilities for low-level and medium-level radioactive waste with short half-lives: two repositories out of commission; one repository licensed, commissioning approximately 2019.

Main legal instruments

• The framework conditions for legislative and administrative powers in general are stipulated in the Constitution (Basic Law/GG). 

• The Atomic Energy Act (AtG) provides the legal framework for the use of nuclear energy and the safe operation of all nuclear installations in Germany.

• In addition to the general provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, several ordinances stipulate more detailed rules.

• Technical details are established in a system of guidelines, technical standards and requirements.

 

Last updated 19 May 2016