Nuclear waste management strategy

In accordance with the requirements of the European Union, the national disposal programme contains a comprehensive overall presentation of the Federal Government's strategy for the responsible and safe disposal of radioactive waste. This also includes the ‘Directory of Radioactive Waste’. This is regularly updated, and includes all types of radioactive waste that are to be permanently stored in Germany. It includes high-level radioactive waste such as spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants and returned waste from reprocessing abroad, as well as all types of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste.

The Federal Cabinet approved the national disposal programme in August 2015. The programme complies with the requirements of European Directive 2011/70/Euratom.

The latest version of the programme was adopted by the German cabinet on 3 December 2025. The Federal Environment Ministry carried out agency and public participation on the programme before its adoption.