Our History
CoRWM was set up by Government in 2003 to review the options for managing the UK’s higher activity solid radioactive waste, and to make recommendations on the option, or combination of options, that could provide a long-term solution, providing protection for people and the environment. It was important that our way of working, as well as our recommendations, should enjoy public confidence. For these reasons, we adopted a staged approach, thinking about one question before moving to another. This process combined consideration of the scientific evidence with a process of engaging with, and involving, stakeholders and members of the public. We carried out as much of our work as possible in public and provided access to almost all of our working papers.
In July 2006, we reported to Government (see Key Issues section). Our recommendations were founded on scientific knowledge in the UK and overseas, the results of public and stakeholder engagement (PSE), and ethical considerations. We took the view that geological disposal represented the best available long-term approach compared to other forms of management. Implementing disposal would take several decades and, until this process was complete, the safe and secure interim storage of the waste would be necessary. Further research and development should be carried out aimed at reducing uncertainties and satisfying people’s other concerns. Government accepted these recommendations.
We report to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland.
Who We Are
CoRWM consists of 15 people: a chair, deputy chair and 13 members. Between us we have a wide range of experience and expertise relevant to our tasks. We are supported by a secretariat of 4 people who are employed by DECC but whose work for CoRWM is independent of the work of DECC on nuclear power and the management of radioactive waste.
Terms of Reference
Our terms of reference say:
“The role of CoRWM will be to provide independent scrutiny and advice to UK Government and Devolved Administration Ministers on the long term management, including storage and disposal, of radioactive waste. CoRWM’s primary task is to provide independent scrutiny on the Government’s and NDA’s proposals, plans and programmes to deliver geological disposal, together with robust interim storage, as the long term management option for the UK’s higher activity wastes.”
The full terms of reference can be seen here.
How We Work
We have five guiding principles that we apply in our work. These are about
1. Openness and transparency
2. Upholding the public interest
3. Fairness
4. A safe and sustainable environment
5. Working efficiently and effectively
See the principles in full here.
Our policy statement on transparency is:
“Transparency means that we aim to make as clear as possible how, and why, we have formulated our advice. We want people to know about the information we have reviewed, the processes of engagement and discussion we have used with others, the nature of our internal deliberations, and, at the end of the process, the reasons why we have formulated our advice in the way we have. Transparency also means that we want people to have good access to information in order that they are able to participate effectively in any engagement that we carry out.”
This statement on CoRWM's policy of transparency should be read in conjunction with the CoRWM Publication Scheme.
A document setting out the types of CoRWM advice and procedures for formulating them can be found here.
Annual Reports
We produce a report in June each year on our activities in the previous financial year. Our report for 2008-09 is here.