ILW meaning

Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) is radioactive waste with activity levels above Low Level Waste (LLW) but not high enough to generate heat requiring thermal management in storage or disposal facility design. In practice, this industry and policy classification (not a statutory definition) guides permitting, contractual specifications, transport, and disposal planning across the UK and Ireland. Typical ILW arises from decommissioning and clean‑up of nuclear sites, historic fuel reprocessing activities, and routine operations and maintenance of radioactive plant. Common materials include metals, sludges and organic wastes, with smaller quantities of cement, graphite, glass and ceramics. Waste characterisation, packaging and conditioning are driven by regulatory permits and Waste Acceptance Criteria. Regulatory context: - England and Wales: regulated under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (Radioactive Substances Regulation). Policy assumes disposal to a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF), though treatment may reduce ILW to LLW/VLLW. - Scotland: regulated under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018. Policy preference is long‑term, near‑surface management, not a GDF. - Northern Ireland: regulated under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (as amended). UK Government policy supports geological disposal. - Ireland: licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency under radiological protection legislation aligned with IAEA concepts; usage of ILW is broadly consistent,...