An Analysis of the Hydrogeological Regulatory Framework for Deep Geological Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste in Germany

This study examines the hydrogeological regulatory framework underpinning Germany's site selection process for high-level radioactive waste disposal, with a focus on its structural organization and evaluative philosophy.Germany has established a multilayered regulatory architecture-comprising the Site Selection Act, the Safety Requirements Ordinance, the Preliminary Safety Assessment Ordinance, and technical guidelines-that systematically integrates the core principles of integrity, robustness, and uncertainty across legal, procedural, and technical domains.Central to this framework is the concept of the Effective Containment Zone, which serves as the spatial unit for assessing hydrogeological suitability based on parameters such as permeability, groundwater velocity, and porosity.The system further incorporates scenario-based safety assessments and the formal quantification of uncertainty to evaluate the repository's long-term performance under both expected and extreme conditions.Importantly, uncertainty is institutionalized as a regulatory parameter rather than treated as a residual risk, with legal mandates requiring its explicit identification, analysis, and mitigation.Through a detailed analysis of the division of regulatory responsibilities, the operationalization of spatial assessment units, and the codification of dual safety criteria-integrity and robustness-this study highlights how Germany's regulatory system balances scientific rigor with legal enforceability.The findings offer substantive implications for the development and refinement of national regulatory frameworks, particularly in establishing coherent, credible, and resilient approaches to deep geological repository safety.