Hungarian Atomic Energy Agency (hereinafter called as HAEA) was assigned by the Government in its Decision no 2414/1997. (XII. 17.) to establish, by the completion date of 1 July 1998 at latest, a public agency under the name of “Public Ageny for Radioactive Waste Management”, for performing the functions specified in § 40 of the Act on Atomic Energy. According to this Governmental Decision, the Public Agency shall take over the functions to be performed for the collection, transfer, partial reprocessing, and storage of radioactive wastes, from the National Public Health and Medical Officer Services. Simultaneously, the operation of the Radioactive Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility (RWTDF) at Püspökszilágy has also been put under the control of the Public Agency.

It is specified in § 4 of the Act on Atomic Energy, that the safe disposal of the generated radioactive wastes and spent nuclear fuels shall be provided in due consideration of the latest confirmed results of the technological development.

For keeping the population in the immediate environment of the facility informed, Licensee of the radioactive waste storage shall promote the establishment of social control and information associations, and may provide financial support for their operation (§ 10 of the Act on Atomic Energy).

Upon the authorisation provided by the Government as per § 67, Par. (f) of the Act on Atomic Energy, the Government, in its Governmental Decree no. 240/1997. (XII. 18.), specified the basic responsibilities of the Public Agency. Accordingly, the Agency shall pursue design, construction, and radioactive waste management work and activities associated with the closure of nuclear installations, and furthermore, shall also be responsible for its own operation.