MEPs at the Industry, Research and Energy Committee voted on the draft directive on the management of spent fuel and radioactive, that EU Member States should be allowed to export radioactive waste to non-EU countries provided the waste is processed in accordance with new EU safety rules. The Committee also backed stricter rules for the protection and training of workers in the industry.

The directive proposes, under the proposal presented by the Commission in November 2010, that each Member State will have to devise policies and programmes to ensure that spent fuel and waste is safely processed and disposed of. National policies must include inventories as well as plans for the management of all facilities, even after they close down.

The point on whether or not allowing the export of radioactive waste outside the EU, was very controversial. The Energy Committee eventually backed the option of allowing exports to third countries provided the exporting Member State ensures that the radioactive waste is disposed of in compliance with the provisions of this Directive. In addition, workers involved in the management of radioactive waste, from generation to disposal, must receive proper protection and training, according to Energy Committee. 

The Committee also agreed that Member States must ensure that sufficient financial resources are available when needed to cover all necessary expenses related to decommissioning and management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, adding that this should always be done according to the "polluter pays principle" and avoiding "any recourse to State aid".

The Energy Committee's report will be voted in Parliament's plenary in the second June plenary session, which will be held in Brussels.