Speaker
Description
The supplementary guidance under the Code of Conduct, Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources, advises that regulatory provisions should be established for acquisition and use of a radioactive source, that include adequate financial provisions to cover the costs of management once the radioactive source becomes disused. The financial resources for the management of disused radioactive sources (DSRS) in Cuba are mainly provided by the users. The Decree Law 207 "On the Use of Nuclear Energy" establishes that the users have to pay the costs associated with the management of radioactive waste generated, including the DSRS. Financial provisions are also provided by the State to the Centre for Radiation Protection and Hygiene (CPHR), the waste management organization in Cuba. These financial resources are mainly allocated for the physical protection, maintenance and other expenses at the centralized waste storage facility. In addition, significant contribution has been received from the IAEA for improving the safety and security of DSRS in Cuba, by providing radiation protection equipment, source storage containers and training the personnel.
The management of disused radioactive sources is a technical service provided by the CPHR at the national level. In order to ensure that the user will fund the management of DSRS, prepaid agreements are established between the users and the CPHR. The cost-based pricing method is used to determine the price for this technical service. Direct and indirect components that influence in the cost of each stage of the management of disused radioactive sources are identified and evaluated. General overheads (indirect expenses generated at the organization level) are also considered in the cost.
The cost card based on costs plus a profit margin is prepared when using this methodology. The cost cards are developed for each stage of the management of DSRS carried out by the CPHR. For the categories 3 to 5 DSRS this includes:
• Collection and transport,
• Recovering of the DSRS from devices, characterization and conditioning,
• Storage of the conditioned package.
Categories 1 and 2 DSRS at present are not being removed from the devices, so the stages of collection, transport and safe storage are considered to estimate the management price. Cost cards have to be approved by the Ministry of Science Technology and Environment.
Economic considerations regarding costs incurred for the management of DSRS are provided in the paper. Financial provisions are essential to guarantee safety and security of the disused radioactive sources.
| Country OR Intl. Organization | Cuba |
|---|
