Mechanism

International Standards and Guidelines

International

The international nature is inherent to this element.

dimension

Connection to other

International standards or at least guidelines or recommendations can be developed for all approaches,

whether related to (minimum) content (e.g. Dedicated Record Sets and Summary Files; Time capsules),

approaches/

form (e.g. Markers; Archives (e.g. ISO standards for record management) or process (e.g. Culture, Education

mechanisms

and Art: Alternative reuse of the disposal site/infrastructure; Oversight Provisions: Monitoring).

Information resources

issued by the RK&M

—

initiative

Other information

The NEA RepMet Initiative, see www.oecd-nea.org/rwm/igsc/repmet/

resources

Development:

• ISO Standards on Information Management, Records Management and Archiving, e.g. ISO 15489-

1:2016 - Information and documentation – Records management, see

www.iso.org/standard/62542.html

• IAEA Safety Standards Series, see www-pub.iaea.org/books/IAEABooks/Series/33/Safety-Standards-

Examples

Series

• NEA: Common Inventorying and Reporting Methodology recently developed by the EGIRM expert

group, see www.oecd-nea.org/rwm/pubs/2017/7371-spent-fuel-strategies.pdf

Implementation:

• Use of archival standards by an implementing organisation to comply with the national archives’

requirements

Mechanism

International Inventories and Catalogues

Approach

International mechanisms

This mechanism corresponds to a subset of the information resources that are set up and run by

international organisations, such as UNESCO or the IAEA. Inventories and catalogues often take the form

Definition/description

of large databases that hold data, references, information, maps, documents and sometimes records.

They can have a topical focus (e.g. nuclear science and its applications) or a wide scope (e.g. academic

research papers in general). They can be digital and/or physical.

International inventories and catalogues commonly aim at documenting a certain topic or domain, to be

a source of reference, to keep an overview over time, for its protection and/or conservation, but also to

How does this

raise and maintain awareness (and more rarely memory) about it. International inventories and

mechanism contribute

catalogues also generally assist access to information on a particular topic or domain, and, also

to RK&M preservation/

depending on their content and format, can also support the development and preservation of

How can it be

knowledge to a certain degree.

implemented?

Repository related data, references and information (including locations) can be added to existing

international inventories and catalogues, or dedicated ones can be developed. The potential for a

dedicated international catalogue of repository projects should be discussed.

Does the mechanism mainly preserve information, records, knowledge, memory, or awareness?

Information: X

Records:

Knowledge:

Memory:

Awareness: X

The focus of international inventories or catalogues is on making accessible and preserving information

(actual information and/or via references to other sources), and often they have a topical awareness

preservation function. They can also support, to some degree, knowledge preservation (when they offer

e.g. codes, procedures, comparative datasets, interactive fora) and preserve some records.

What is the level of detail addressed/provided by the mechanism?

Low level of detail: X

High level of detail: X

As “lists”, international inventories and catalogues may not offer the highest levels of detail, but they are

Scope

good mechanisms to point to other mechanisms with more detailed information. Some international

inventories and catalogues do however have a high level of detail (e.g. spent fuel inventories, certain

databanks and platforms).

What is the main geographical or administrative-political scope

(development/implementation/operation) of the mechanism? On which scale does the mechanism

notably enable RK&M preservation?

[Note also the field “International dimension” further below.]

Local:

Regional:

National:

International: X

Virtual: X

Depending on the international inventory or catalogue and on its access policy, the

geographical/administrative scope is of limited relevance and its main (RK&M preservation) functioning

is online/virtual.

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Mechanism

International Inventories and Catalogues

Long term:

Medium term: X

Short term: X

Very short term:

Timescales

Pre-operational: X

Operational: X

Pre-closure:

Post-closure:

Repository projects can be listed in existing (respective) inventories/catalogues at any time, but should

preferably be listed as soon as the repository comes into existence.

When should this mechanism be developed? This may or may not be equal to the implementation

timescale.

Done: X

Pre-operational: X

Operational: X

Pre-closure:

Post-closure:

International inventories and catalogues already exist. The development of a dedicated, international

repository inventory or catalogue can start as of today.

Should the mechanism be implemented intentionally (e.g. time capsules) or is its emergence largely

unintentional (e.g. surface traces) or can it not be fully controlled (e.g. art work)?

Intentional: X

Unintentional:

Cannot be controlled:

A dedicated repository inventory of repository related data could be intentionally established. The listing

of data in existing inventories and catalogues would also be intentional.

Is the mechanism mainly tangible or intangible?

Characteristics

Tangible: X

Intangible:

The inventories and catalogues are tangible. The organisations that develop and maintain them add an

intangible component to this mechanism. Some are also accompanied by discussion fora and can link

users.

Does the mechanism mainly rely on mediated transmission or non-mediated transmission?

Mediated transmission: X

Non-mediated transmission:

International inventories and catalogues are a living information resource that is updated and

maintained.

International inventories are often established by international agencies. In this case, input is delivered

Actors

by a network of national corresponding organisations and relies on voluntary involvement.

Outside of the RWM field, there are also examples of private initiatives, such as Google Books.

They can be targeted at specialists and/or society at large.

Inventories and catalogues are well established and widely used sources of structured information.

The international scope ensures that information is recorded and stored and helps the inventories to

Main

survive the possible evolution of national borders.

strengths/benefits

They provide an RK&M preservation mechanism that functions well within a systemic approach as they

have the capacity to provide links between different mechanisms.

Dedicated international organisations often provide technical and administrative support.

Completeness and accuracy/reliability of information as well as ease of use are challenging criteria that

apply to inventories and catalogues in general.

Specific

The long-term sustainability of the actions required to maintain inventories and catalogues can also

issues/challenges

constitute a challenge. Depending on funding mechanisms, the effectiveness of financial support may

vary with the willingness or the capacity of individual states or actors to provide specific funds over the

shortand medium-term.

International

The international nature is inherent to this element.

dimension

Culture, Education and Art: Heritage inventories and catalogues

Memory Institutions: Libraries (international inventories holding documents may serve an electronic library

function)

Regulatory Framework: Safeguards (inventories of fissile material, though with restricted access)

International Mechanisms: International Archives (archival collections usually include a catalogue as a

Connection to other

point of access)

approaches/

Culture, Education and Art;

mechanisms

Markers;

Time Capsules;

Dedicated Record Sets and Summary Files;

Oversight Provisions

: the mechanisms under all these approaches can be listed and referenced in international inventories and

catalogues

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Mechanism

International Inventories and Catalogues

• J. Schröder and A. Sneyers (2013). INIS and its national implementation. In: NEA. The Preservation of

Records, Knowledge and Memory (RK&M) Across Generations: Improving Our Understanding.

Proceedings of the second RK&M Workshop. The Preservation of Records, Knowledge and Memory

(RK&M) Across Generations: Improving Our Understanding. 12-13 September 2012, Issy-les-

Moulineaux, France, pp. 88-90. OECD, Paris.

Information resources

• I. Hill (2013). NEA Data Bank: Knowledge Preservation Activities. In: NEA. The Preservation of Records,

issued by the RK&M

Knowledge and Memory (RK&M) Across Generations: Improving Our Understanding. Proceedings of

initiative

the second RK&M Workshop. 12-13 September 2012, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, pp. 91-95. OECD,

Paris.

• J. Springer, UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme. In: NEA (2013). The Preservation of Records,

Knowledge and Memory (RK&M) Across Generations: Improving Our Understanding. Proceedings of

the second RK&M Workshop. 12-13 September 2012, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, pp. 87-88. OECD,

Paris.

Other information

—

resources

Examples

• European Route of Industrial Heritage, see www.erih.net/

• Academia.edu, an online platform for academics to share research papers. See www.academia.edu/

• The International Time Capsule Society (ITCS) in Atlanta USA provides a registry of time capsules

around the world, making sure that they are properly recorded. They provide a free online registration

form for anyone wishing to register a time capsule. https://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/international-time-

capsule-society/

• Global maps featuring repositories could be made, comparable to the ones existing today featuring

e.g. nuclear power plants, such as www.nuklearforum.ch/de/nuclearplanet/app

International co-operation

Mechanism

International co-operation

Approach

International mechanisms

This mechanism refers to co-operative activities among multiple nations on economic, social, cultural,

Definition/description

humanitarian and technological issues (and differences), that are co-ordinated at the international level.

In the field of RWM, international co-operation can e.g. take the form of common research programmes

or projects, discussion platforms, international working groups on specific topics, peer reviews or

international conferences.

How does this

International co-operation in the field of RWM serves the dissemination, joint development and

mechanism contribute

preservation notably of information and knowledge, but also of records (e.g. reports being developed,

to RK&M preservation/

shared and preserved internationally). It can contribute to RD&D on both technical and social strategies,

How can it be

including RK&M preservation. It can also serve awareness about, and memory of, repository projects

implemented?

worldwide. This element is particularly useful in the very short and short term.

Does the mechanism mainly preserve information, records, knowledge, memory, or awareness?

Information: X

Records:

Knowledge: X

Memory:

Awareness:

International co-operation in the field of RWM serves the preservation notably of information and

knowledge.

What is the level of detail addressed/provided by the mechanism?

Low level of detail:

High level of detail: X

Scope

International co-operation usually addresses and provides a high level of detail.

What is the main geographical or administrative-political scope

(development/implementation/operation) of the mechanism? On which scale does the mechanism

notably enable RK&M preservation?

[Note also the field “International dimension” further below.]

Local:

Regional:

National:

International: X

Virtual:

The mechanism involves actors and activities located at different levels: international and, as

counterparts most often, national (but local or regional also possible).

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Mechanism

International co-operation

Long term:

Medium term: X

Short term: X

Very short term: X

Pre-operational: X

Operational: X

Pre-closure: X

Post-closure: X

International co-operation can take place during all stages of repository projects, including the post-

Timescales

closure phase in the context of oversight (e.g. international monitoring projects, which remain to be

developed).

When should this mechanism be developed? This may or may not be equal to the implementation

timescale.

Done: X

Pre-operational: X

Operational: X

Pre-closure: X

Post-closure:

International co-operation already takes place (e.g. through IAEA, NEA, the European Commission

(including committees such as ENSREG as well as IGD-TP and European Joint Programming), EDRAM and

international non-governmental organisations). With a view to RK&M preservation, existing programmes

can be further developed and/or new ones established, preferably through the pre-operational and

operational phases of repository projects. International oversight co-operation could also still be

(further) developed in the pre-closure phase.

Should the mechanism be implemented intentionally (e.g. time capsules) or is its emergence largely

unintentional (e.g. surface traces) or can it not be fully controlled (e.g. art work)?

Intentional: X

Unintentional:

Cannot be controlled:

International co-operation needs to be developed and implemented intentionally.

Is the mechanism mainly tangible or intangible?

Characteristics

Tangible:

Intangible: X

International co-operation among nations and people is intangible, but supported by tangible media

such as reports, websites, conference proceedings, experiments, technologies, etc.

Does the mechanism mainly rely on mediated transmission or non-mediated transmission?

Mediated transmission: X

Non-mediated transmission:

Co-operation is a clear form of mediated RK&M preservation.

RWM related international co-operation may be established within a political, economic or legal

framework such as the European Community and the Euratom Treaty, or by international agencies such

as the IAEA, the NEA, Greenpeace International, etc. It may also be set up by individual organisations and

Actors

supported by collaboration agreements (such as implementing agencies (e.g. EDRAM), regulators (e.g.

ENSREG), municipalities with nuclear facilities [GMF]). International co-operation can also be established

through more citizen driven initiatives (e.g. Safecast).

The objectives, conditions and means for expanding the co-operation are defined by the relevant

organisation.

Approaching RK&M preservation through international co-operation is advisable in light of the long

timeframes (including the respective fluidity of national boundaries) and an internationally shared

concern for protecting humans and the environment and informing future generations. It adds to

redundancy in relation to more national RK&M preservation mechanisms.

Main

It has clear strengths and benefits related to both content and practice (peer review, exchange of best

practices, development of expertise, joint implementation of preservation actions, periodic reporting,

strengths/benefits

etc.). These values are notably focused on the short term, but can expand into the medium term, also in

relation to oversight activities.

In view of its transboundary nature, international co-operation is well established in the nuclear field in

general. The experience is that if international organisations co-ordinate co-operation efforts, they often

provide important technical and administrative support.

RK&M preservation has a high degree of context-dependency and thus a balance needs to be found

between national/local specificity and international relevance.

Specific

The implementation of multi-level responsibility and decision making depends on the willingness of the

issues/challenges

partners at various territorial levels to reach compromises.

The efficiency of international projects and working groups often relies on voluntary contributions.

Continuity may be an issue.

International

The international nature is inherent to this mechanism.

dimension

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