Summary

The project was a service project with main purpose to provide technical assistance to the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste (SERAW) for the establishment of an emergency response preparedness system in case of accident with radiological consequences during the management of Low and intermediate Level Waste (LILW).

The overall objectives of the project were:

• To improve safety of LILW management and disposal in
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• To Ensure high safety standards for the LILW disposal in
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The State Enterprise Radioactive Waste (SERAW) was established in 2004 under the conditions of Article 78 (1) of the Act on Safe Use of Nuclear Energy (ASUNE) and was entrusted with the management of radioactive waste outside of the place of generation and of low and intermediate level radioactive waste from Kozioduy NPP and from nuclear applications.

The SERAW consists of Headquarters and two Specialized Divisions for processing and storage of radioactive waste: "RAW Kozloduy" and "PRRAW- Novi Han". The third Specialized Division "NDF" will be developed gradually with the progress of the project for establishment of the National Disposal Facility for low and intermediate level short lived waste.

The emergency planning and emergency response preparedness is a part of the SERAW radioactive waste management activities and is necessary in order to prevent radiological accidents or to mitigate the consequences there from and is also part of the conditions of the SERAW licenses for operation of radioactive waste management facilities and off-site transportation of radioactive materials.

The project developed an upgraded emergency planning and response preparedness system was developed in accordance with the requirements of the new legislation and including the requirements related to establishment of special-statutory areas. Updated On-Site Emergency Plans for radioactive waste management facilities "RAW Kozloduy" and "PRRAW-Novi Han" were devloped.

Furthermore, a new organizational and communication system within the SERAW and with the responsible organizations at national level — notably the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA) and the Civil Protection General Directorate at the Ministry of Emergency Situations was established.

Part of the budget for incidental expenditure was used for procurement of software for specialized radiation assessment and calculation.