This panel discussed the WM activities in France, our 2015 featured country. The first panel focused on the institutional and legal framework in France for the radioactive waste management. The overall organization with an independent agency, ANDRA, funding mechanisms, safety requirement, and review system was presented and discussed.

The recent developments, especially on the licensing approach of the Cigeo geological disposal project were presented, especially given the Public Debate held in 2013, and the last debates at the Parliament dealing with reversibility and retrievability of waste packages.

Panelists include: Virginie Schwarz, Director for Energy at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy in France; Jean-Luc Lachaume, Deputy General Director of ASN, The French Nuclear Safety Authority; Jean-Yves Le Deaut, Chairman of the Office of Parliamentarian Scientific and Technologic Choices; Francois-Michel Gonnot, Chairman of ANDRA; President, High Committee for Transparency and Safety of Nuclear (HCTISN) facilities; Gerard Cote, Professor at the Paris School of Chemistry, I2EN; and Valerie Faudon, Delegate of the French Nuclear Society (France).