Private Sector Involvement in the New Nuclear Waste Regulation

The government is currently preparing a Draft Government Regulation on the amendment to Government Regulation No. 61 of 2013 (“PP 61/2013”)  on Radioactive Waste Management (“RPP on Radioactive Waste Management”). Haendra Subekti, Deputy for Nuclear Safety Assessment at the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten), stated that the revision will assign nuclear waste management responsibilities to several parties, including private business entities.

“The parties that can handle waste are being broadened. It will not only be conducted by the government, but also private entities,” Haendra told Hukumonline.

According to documents obtained by Hukumonline, the RPP stipulates that radioactive waste management shall be carried out by both radioactive waste producers and radioactive waste management operators. Article 3 paragraph (3) specifies that radioactive waste producers consist of: holders of nuclear mineral mining licenses, holders of nuclear installation license, and holders of radiation facility license.

Meanwhile, Article 3 paragraph (4) elaborates that the management of radioactive waste may be carried out by implementing agencies, state-owned enterprises, cooperatives, and/or private entities. Haendra emphasized that this regulatory amendment serves as preparation for the upcoming implementation of Nuclear Power Plants (Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Nuklir/PLTN) and as a precautionary measure against incidents of nuclear waste contamination that have occurred recently.

“One of our aims is to anticipate such incidents,” he added.