The current guidelines are developed based on Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China, Regulations on Prevention of Radiation (GB 8703) and Regulations on Shallow Ground Disposal of Solid Waste with Low and Intermediate Radioactivity (GB 9132) based on specific situation of shallow ground disposal of solid radioactive waste in China. The current guidelines specify the aim, contents and depth of environmental impact reports for each construction period of shallow ground disposal of solid radioactive waste as well as standard format and specific requirements. The current guidelines are applicable to all shallow ground or underground disposal of solid radioactive waste with protection cover and process barriers or without process barriers. The current guidelines are not applicable to the disposal of radioactive solid waste in natural or artificial rock caves (including waste mine shafts).
