The issue was raised on August 18 at a meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, where lawmakers considered a draft law on radioactive waste management in its first reading.
Four of the 10 storage facilities at the Republican Center for Radioactive Waste Storage are already full, while the remaining facilities are between 50% and 92% occupied, Sardorbek Yakubekov, deputy chairman of the committee, said.
“Four of the center’s 10 storage facilities are already full, while the others are 50% to 92% occupied. The remaining capacity should be enough to receive radioactive waste for another four to five years,” Yakubekov said.
About 176 entities in Uzbekistan currently use radioactive sources, with around 2,500 sources in operation, according to the official. Spent radioactive sources are transferred to the Republican Center for Radioactive Waste Storage.
The government is seeking to establish a comprehensive legal framework for radioactive waste management as Uzbekistan expands its nuclear sector, including the construction of new nuclear power facilities.
New law would regulate entire radioactive waste cycle
The draft law is designed to establish rules covering the entire lifecycle of radioactive waste – from generation and processing to storage, transportation and disposal.
The proposed legislation comprises six chapters and 48 articles. It would establish safety requirements, define the powers of state bodies and the rights and responsibilities of individuals and organizations, and introduce the “polluter pays” principle.
The bill also provides for public participation, compliance with international standards and the creation of a national operator responsible for radioactive waste management. It sets requirements for the siting, design, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of facilities involved in radioactive waste management.
The government says the law would not require additional funding from the state budget. The draft has been coordinated with 31 ministries and government agencies, subjected to public consultation and received a positive scientific assessment from the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences.
