Periodic Evaluation

RSC undertakes periodic evaluations to analyse the progress that Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention make towards the Strategy in reducing discharges of radioactive substances to the North-East Atlantic.

OSPAR's Fourth Periodic Evaluation published in 2016, shows that measures to reduce discharges of radioactive substances to the marine environment are working.

The evaluation assessed the progress made by countries which are party to the OSPAR Convention towards the objective of the OSPAR Radioactive Substances Strategy, which aims to reduce discharges of radioactive substances to the North-East Atlantic.

The results show clear evidence of substantial reductions in 35 out of 53 assessments across the nuclear sub-sectors between 2007 and 2013 when compared to the baseline period (1995-2001). Furthermore, none of the other assessments showed any evidence of increased discharges.

RSC is currently working on the Fifth Periodic Evaluation which will build on progress since the two previous evaluations and will cover the assessment period of 2012 to 2018. The Fifth Periodic Evaluation will assess discharges, environmental concentrations and the radiological impacts on man and biota.