On 1 October 1997 the Federal Republic of Germany signed the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. Germany is among the 42 signatory countries of the "Joint Convention" and is one of 40 countries and EURATOM which have ratified this Convention, which came into force on 18 June 2001, by May 2006.

The Joint Convention pursues the following objectives:

1. To achieve and maintain a high level of safety world-wide in spent fuel and radioactive waste management, through the enhancement of national measures and international co-operation, including where appropriate, safety-related technical co-operation
   
2. To ensure that during all stages of spent fuel and radioactive waste management there are effective defenses against potential hazards so that individuals, society and the environment are protected from harmful effects of ionizing radiation, now and in the future, in such a way that the needs and aspirations of the present generation are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs and aspirations
3. To prevent accidents with radiological consequences and to mitigate their consequences should they occur during any stage of spent fuel or radioactive waste management.

Compliance with the provisions of the Joint Convention is dealt with within the scope of review meetings taking place at least every three years. For these meetings reports have to be elaborated which are made available to all signatory countries. Corresponding to its tasks the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) is responsible for those parts of the report dealing particularly with the classification and the stock of radioactive waste and the single stages of waste treatment including interim storage and disposal.

According to the guidelines for the National Report, the second German report on the Joint Convention has been subdivided into 12 sections. Following an introduction on the historic and political development of the use of nuclear energy in Germany a statement is made about each obligation.

To prove fulfilment of obligations the relevant laws, ordinances, and bodies of legislation are explained and it is described how safety requirements are complied with.

Topics of emphasis are licensing procedures and state supervision as well as measures to maintain an appropriate level of safety.

From 15 to 24 May 2006 the second review meeting took place in Vienna, in which again a German delegation participated. The German status was presented and reviewed in a peer to peer process from the other parties of German Group. The gained progress was remarked positively and further progress was suggested. The next review meeting will be held in Vienna from 11 to 22 May 2009.

The signatory countries assume that the implementation of the results of the meeting will contribute to further improve safety through increased international co-operation and mutual support of the signatory countries. Checking consents on the next conference provides the necessary appeal for their implementation.