Introduction

Radioactive waste arises from diverse sources, including the operation of nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel cycle facilities, and the application of radionuclides in research, healthcare, accelerators, and various industrial sectors. The waste differs significantly in its radiological, physical, and chemical properties depending on its origin. Characterizing this waste involves determining these properties and plays a crucial role in its safe management across all stages—from generation to disposal. An equally important aspect is interpreting these properties to ensure that radioactive waste is managed safely for both humanity and the environment throughout its lifecycle.

Characterization supports decisions on appropriate treatment or conditioning methods, provides vital information for process control, and ensures that waste forms or packages meet waste acceptance criteria for storage, transport, and disposal. Safe management and disposal depend heavily on accurate and quality-assured waste characterization, utilizing both non-destructive and destructive methods to assess radionuclide inventories.

Over decades, expert laboratories in Member States with mature nuclear programs have developed and refined procedures, standards, and laboratory practices for waste characterization. However, Member States with emerging nuclear programs often face significant challenges due to limited facilities and expertise. For these nations, establishing comprehensive waste characterization programs and effectively interpreting results is a demanding technical challenge that requires both intellectual and financial investment.

The overarching goal of waste characterization is to provide verified and documented information about the waste’s radiological, physical, and chemical properties. This data forms the foundation for determining necessary management actions, including processing and disposal. Accurate characterization ensures that waste forms and packages meet acceptance criteria at every stage of their lifecycle. By obtaining quality-assured data, programs can minimize risks, support decision-making, and optimize cost-efficiency.

Importantly, waste characterization is typically more straightforward and cost-effective in the early stages of the lifecycle. For example, certain waste properties that are easily measurable in raw waste can become obscured after treatment or conditioning, potentially complicating later analyses. Proper planning at the earliest stages—including segregation, containerization, and temporary storage—can significantly simplify future characterization efforts.

Effective planning is vital to identifying characterization requirements for all lifecycle phases. Planning should precede waste generation to ensure that collection, segregation, and storage activities align with the characterization strategy. Well-implemented planning minimizes risks, supports cost-efficient programs, and allows for the collection of accurate data at the necessary levels of precision. Properly segregated waste streams can lead to simpler and more stable waste categories, while poor segregation can increase complexity and costs.

To address these challenges and promote global best practices, the IAEA organizes events under the International Network of Laboratories for Nuclear Waste Characterization (LABONET). This initiative facilitates the exchange of international experience and promotes the use of proven, quality-assured practices in waste characterization. By sharing knowledge and best practices, LABONET aims