EDRAM: A Shared Commitment to the Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste
International cooperation is at the heart of responsible radioactive waste management. In a field that requires long-term commitment, technical excellence and societal dialogue, collaboration between national agencies plays a decisive role. Through its active participation in EDRAM, Andra contributes to a shared international effort to advance safe and sustainable disposal solutions.
EDRAM: a forum for strategic exchange
EDRAM (the International Association for the Environmentally Safe Disposal of Radioactive Materials) was established in 1998. It brings together national organisations responsible for the management and disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel.
More than a technical network, EDRAM provides a strategic forum where its members exchange experience, discuss common challenges and promote high standards for the long-term management of radioactive waste.
The association is built on key principles that guide its work, including:
- The responsibility to avoid placing undue burdens on future generations;
- The recognition that radioactive waste management is both a technical and societal endeavour;
- The importance of transparency, flexibility and meaningful stakeholder involvement in decision-making processes.
Today, EDRAM gathers 11 member organisations from around the world, all committed to developing safe and sustainable disposal solutions.
Andra within EDRAM
As a founding member of EDRAM, Andra has long considered international cooperation to be an essential component of its mission. Managing radioactive waste requires not only robust scientific and technical expertise, but also continuous dialogue and peer exchange at the international level.
Through EDRAM, Andra shares operational feedback, regulatory experience and strategic reflections, while also learning from the approaches developed in other national programmes. This collective dynamic strengthens the robustness of disposal strategies and contributes to the continuous improvement of practices.
How EDRAM members see their cooperation
Earlier this year, the CEOs of the 11 EDRAM member organisations – including Lydie Evrard, CEO of Andra – shared their perspectives on the value of international cooperation.
In this short video, they reflect on what cooperation means in a field defined by long timescales, technical complexity and societal expectations. Their testimonies highlight a shared conviction: progress in radioactive waste disposal is strengthened by dialogue, transparency and collaboration across borders.
Watch the video to discover how EDRAM members view their cooperation and its importance for the future of safe disposal.