Deep geological repositories (DGR) count amongst the world largest environmental protection projects. They are the internationally advocated reference solution for the long-term management of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Many countries have engaged in programs to develop their own DGR. In Europe, four countries have passed the important milestone of choosing or announcing the appropriate site for the location of their HLW disposal facilities. Finland has almost finished the commissioning of its DGR and should start industrial disposal operations in 2025. Sweden has authorized the construction of its DGR and is finalizing the licensing document to start construction. France is reviewing the construction license application of its DGR. Switzerland has proposed the location of its DGR and is carrying out the production of the documentation for the license application. These four countries took decades to choose the location for their DGR. The length of this process is explained by 1) the amount of technical investigations and studies that were carried out to first identify, select and then fully characterize the suitable site and 2) the progressive decision-making process defined by their respective legal frameworks, including the participation and engagement of communities and stakeholders.

1. Introduction
2. Finland
    2.1 Finnish National Context and Program Organization
    2.2 Location and Main Technical Features ofthe Finnish DGR Project
    2.3 Status of the Finnish DGR Program
    2.4 Development of the Finnish DGR Program
3. Sweden
    3.1 Swedish National Context and ProgramOrganization
    3.2 Location and Main Technical Features ofthe Swedish DGR Project
    3.3 Status of the Swedish DGR Program
    3.4 Development of the Swedish DGR Program
4. France
    4.1 French National Context and Program Organization
    4.2 Location and Main Technical Features ofthe French DGR Project Cigéo
    4.3 Status of the French DGR Program
    4.4 Development Process of the French DGRProgram
5. Switzerland
    5.1 Swiss National Context and Program Organization
    5.2 Location and Main Technical Features ofthe Swiss DGR Project
    5.3 Status of the Swiss DGR Program
    5.4 Development Process of the Swiss DGRProgram
6. An Essential Technical and PracticalIssue for All High-Level Waste ManagementPrograms: The Selection andConfirmation of a Suitable Site for theDeep Geological Repository
    6.1 Importance and Role of the Host-Rock fora DGR
    6.2 The Site Selection Criteria
    6.3 The Site Selection Process
    6.4 The Long Duration of the Site Selectionand Confirmation Process
7. Conclusion
Conflict of Interest
Acknowledgements
REFERENCES

• Pascal Claude LEVERD(Institute for Korea Spent Nuclear Fuel, 111, Daedeok-daero 989beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34057, Republic of Korea)