We provide a complete range of services from decontamination and decommissioning to bespoke machinery, on site services, engineering and projects support for dimensioning projects, measurement and characterisation expertise, and laboratory innovations. Across France and the United Kingdom, our teams operate within highly regulated environments and in collaboration with national agencies, nuclear operators, and safety authorities.
Sustainability is a core principle of our technical strategy. When developing treatment processes, we systematically evaluate environmental impact, CO₂ emissions, and long-term lifecycle performance. Where technically feasible, we prioritise treatment routes that minimise carbon impact, for example, choosing mineral processes over organic ones to avoid CO₂ emissions. For example, our effluent treatment technologies reflect this approach, and we advocate for vitrification over cementation when it offers a more sustainable outcome. These practices demonstrate that sustainability is embedded in our engineering decisions
Responsible radioactive waste management is a central pillar of our mission and is embedded in our operational practices, our management systems, and our corporate governance. Our commitment is reflected in four key areas: compliance, innovation, safety culture, and continuous improvement.
Our Global Operating Framework
France (360 employees)
We operate across multiple major industrial centres including CEA facilities, Cyclife CENTRACO, and ANDRA sites for radioactive waste management. Our capabilities include:
The GeoMelt® thermal treatment facility in Limay.
The ICPE authorised site in Épothémont, providing waste characterisation, treatment, and full traceability.
Agency teams delivering services directly at client sites.
We also support clients such as CEA, ANDRA, Framatome, and EDF (through Graphitech for graphite reactor decommissioning).
United Kingdom (90 employees)
Our teams provide decommissioning, characterisation, engineering, and robotics interventions from offices in Birchwood and Abingdon-on-Thames, serving sites such as Sellafield, Dounreay, Magnox, and UKAEA Culham.
All technologies and solutions deployed by the business are designed by experienced engineers and validated with clients and nuclear safety authorities in accordance with national regulatory frameworks.
1. Commitment to Hazardous & Radioactive Waste Management
Veolia’s nuclear solutions business aims to ensure that radioactive and hazardous waste is managed responsibly, safely, and in line with international best practices. Our approach is governed by the following principles:
Compliance with Regulatory Frameworks and Client Requirements
In France, the legal nuclear operator (CEA, ANDRA, Cyclife, etc.) retains regulatory responsibility for the facilities we operate on. Veolia’s nuclear solutions business acts strictly within delegated management and fully complies with:
- INB (Basic Nuclear Installation) requirements
- ICPE (Installations Classified for the Protection of the Environment) regulations
- ASNR expectations and site-specific operating rules
- Client defined policies and procedures.
Compliance is independently verified through audits by clients, regulators, and certification bodies.
In the United Kingdom, our activities currently focus on engineering, characterisation, robotics and programme support, and do not involve the physical handling, treatment, or storage of radioactive or hazardous waste.
Integrated Management System (IMS)
Veolia’s nuclear solutions business in France operates under an Integrated Management System supporting safety, quality, environmental protection, and radiation protection across all projects.
Environmental, Sustainability & Safety Prioritisation
Environmental protection and the safety of personnel and the public are core priorities in our operational decision-making. This principle informs all decision-making, planning, and operational activities. Sustainability is considered as part of this approach: when designing or evaluating a process, we assess CO₂ emissions, environmental impact, and long-term waste behaviour from the earliest stage of development.
We apply sustainability considerations in practice, for example, by considering mineral-based treatment methods where possible and where appropriate promoting vitrification as a more sustainable alternative to cementation.
Certifications
Veolia’s nuclear solutions business maintains leading international certifications across its activities in France and the UK, including ISO 19443 for the Ventilation activity at the Laudun site and for the sorting and reconditioning of nuclear waste at the Epothémont site demonstrating our commitment to robust environmental and safety stewardship.
2. Governance & Oversight
Radioactive waste management receives oversight at senior levels of Veolia’s nuclear solutions business.
- Operational teams report directly to the CEO of Veolia’s nuclear solutions business.
- Functional reporting is also made to members of the business unit’s Executive Committee (CODIR).
- The CEO reports to the Director of Veolia Zone France who is also a member of the Veolia Executive Committee.
This governance structure ensures that nuclear safety, environmental protection, and waste management considerations are considered at the appropriate executive level.
3. Radioactive Waste Monitoring & Measurement
Radioactive waste monitoring and measurement form an integral part of operating procedures and project quality plans.
- Site-specific Quality Assurance Plans (PAQ) define measurement points, traceability steps, and documentation requirements.
- Regulatory and client requirements dictate the frequency and methodology of waste characterisation.
- Audits by regulators and clients confirm compliance with applicable requirements.
- Digitalisation tools enhance traceability, documentation accuracy, and continuous improvement.
4. Operating Standards for Radioactive Waste Management
Radioactive Waste Management Processes
Veolia’s nuclear solutions business applies client-specific procedures aligned with national regulatory frameworks, including ASNR rules in France, ONR expectations in the UK, and international safety standards. Procedures are periodically reviewed and may be updated under our ISO-certified management systems.
Role Within The Nuclear Regulatory Framework
Within the regulated nuclear framework in France and the United Kingdom, licensed nuclear operators retain full responsibility for the ownership, transport, and final disposal of radioactive waste. Veolia’s nuclear solutions business contributes through specialised delegated activities, including characterisation, treatment, decontamination, engineering support, and traceability, delivered under operator oversight and in compliance with national regulatory requirements.
Waste Storage
Storage of radioactive waste remains under the responsibility of the licensed nuclear operator. Veolia’s nuclear Solutions business supports storage-related activities through delegated tasks such as characterisation, handling under radiological protection rules, and ensuring appropriate traceability in accordance with operator procedures.
Waste Disposal
Veolia’s nuclear solutions business supports disposal-related activities on behalf of operators and government entities, always as delegated tasks within operator-owned disposal programmes. All disposal-related activities consistently follow client procedures, operating guidelines, safety cases, and regulatory expectations.
5. Employee Training
All personnel working with or around radioactive materials are trained and qualified in accordance with legal, regulatory, and client requirements. Training includes:
- Radiation protection and safety
- Site-specific operational procedures
- Emergency response and incident reporting
- Task-specific technical training
- Training records are maintained and regularly audited.
6. Incident Investigation & Corrective Actions
The business applies Veolia’s global incident management system, adapted for nuclear operations and compliant with French, UK, and national regulatory requirements.
- All incidents in France are reported to ASNR as required by with INB/ICPE regulations.
- Investigations identify root causes and define corrective/preventive measures.
- Lessons learned may be shared across the nuclear solutions business to reinforce operational excellence.
- Processes are aligned with ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and client expectations.
For further information contact: [email protected]