Canada is a world leader in nuclear waste management. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) works closely with other nations that are also in the process of developing deep geological repositories for their own nuclear waste.

This approach to the long-term management of used nuclear fuel is consistent with best practices around the world. Almost all countries with commercial nuclear power production are planning to contain and isolate the waste byproduct of their nuclear fuel cycle in a deep geological repository.

The NWMO is currently participating in the regulatory decision-making process for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel. This underground facility will use a series of engineered and natural barriers that work together to contain and isolate the used nuclear fuel for the very long term.

International co-operation

The NWMO has co-operation agreements with our counterparts in Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. We also have a memorandum of understanding with our counterpart in Taiwan.

Partnering with other radioactive waste management organizations allows us to:

• Foster international co-operation on the development and demonstration of technology.
• Learn from other countries’ experience.
• Keep abreast of developments in repository design and safety case development.

EDRAM

The NWMO and many of our international partners are members of the International Association for Environmentally Safe Disposal of Radioactive Materials (EDRAM), which serves as a crucial forum for nations considering the safe, long-term storage of used nuclear fuel.

“Through EDRAM, we exchange experiences and insights, learning from one another’s successes and challenges,” said Laurie Swami, President and CEO of the NWMO. “This collaborative effort helps us stay at the forefront of innovation and safety, providing diverse perspectives and solutions to enhance our own processes.”

A video of EDRAM leaders can be viewed here.

As part of EDRAM, the NWMO is able to gain access to a global community experienced in the same sector, compare safety methodologies, refine geotechnical models based on data from similar geological settings, and adapt engagement strategies that have proven effective during the implementation of repositories elsewhere. The NWMO’s scientific research has made valuable contributions to the shared understanding of nuclear waste management.

EDRAM fosters an environment of constructive scrutiny, where challenges are openly discussed and productive dialogue about collective solutions is fostered. Being a part of EDRAM reflects the spirit of engagement that drives the NWMO, building on a foundation of science, best practices and a shared commitment to protecting people and the environment for generations to come.

International excellence in nuclear waste storage

Finland is the country most advanced in its journey to open a deep geological repository. Their ONKALO facility has been built and is currently in the licensing stage. It is expected to be open within the next few years.

In Sweden, following 40 years of dedicated research and development, ground was broken in 2025 on a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel at Forsmark, the nation’s largest nuclear power plant. This repository is expected to begin operations in the 2030s.

In 2023, the NWMO congratulated our counterpart, the French national radioactive waste management agency (Andra), on the submission of its licence application for the construction of a deep geological repository to safely store France’s used nuclear fuel. The Cigéo deep geological repository, managed by Andra, will be located near the city of Bure in eastern France.

Similarly, in Switzerland, Nagra (the National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste) has a government-mandated mission to plan and build a deep geological repository. Following decades of research, in 2022, Nagra announced Nördlich Lägern, a site north of Zurich, as the preferred site for a repository for high-level waste. The general licence application was submitted in 2024, with operations for low- and intermediate-level waste planned for 2050 and high-level waste by 2060.

The NWMO also shares our experience in consent-based site selection with other countries, including the United Kingdom and Japan, that are currently in site selection processes that are similar in some ways to the one we recently completed in Canada.

Looking ahead

The NWMO looks forward to continuing to learn from and collaborate with international partners as we progress Canada’s own deep geological repository. Managing used nuclear fuel is extremely important work, and international co-operation is key to ensuring a safe and sustainable future for all.