^ 578 



~_ 14 _ 



International Context 



The regulatory and institutional issues of subseabed disposal 

 in the international context are linked to the London Dumping 

 Convention (London Convention). 



The London Convention defines "dumping" as any deliberate 

 disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, 

 platforms or other man-made structures, excluding the placement 

 of matter for purposes other than disposal. The London 

 Convention prohibits "dumping" of high-level radioactive waste 

 and certain other materials. The question arises as to whether 

 subseabed disposal constitutes "dumping" for purposes of the 

 London Convention. While taking place at sea, under the 

 concept of subseabed disposal, waste would be emplaced in the 

 sediment rather than in ocean waters. Differing views have 

 been expressed on this question, both within the U.S. and in 

 other nations. 



The NEA Seabed Working Group established a task group in 1982 

 to begin the study of legal and institutional issues 

 surrounding seabed disposal with the objective of proposing 

 possible institutional frameworks to be assessed for future 

 implementation of subseabed disposal. The Consultative level 



