The NEA Expert Group on the Application of Robotics and Remote Systems in the Nuclear Back-end (EGRRS) advises member countries on the leading and emerging issues that focus on the development of strategic approaches to facilitate the implementation of robotic and remote systems (RRS) in radioactive waste management, decommissioning and legacy management at the national and international levels. The EGRRS sits under the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) and provides the needed support to the Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM).

The expert group will also support NEA member countries in enabling a wider application of RRS to benefit the progress of scientific and technical knowledge. This expert group shall:

• promote the exchange of information on RRS development and application amongst participants, and collect and analyse the inputs from participants
• study the main and emerging challenges concerning RRS application; identify the main factors influencing RRS application; arrange the identified factors and elaborate a plan of actions to support the development in the nuclear back-end programmes, including future innovative programmes (e.g. advanced types of reactors)
• develop recommendations to members on establishing a framework, allowing the wider application of RRS in the nuclear back-end area; strive to achieve shared approaches and standards, where appropriate
• support the development and implementation of common procedures, rules, standards, etc. that can facilitate the process of RRS application amongst the potential users of the systems.

During the first stage of work, the EGRRS will focus on a global overview of the situation in RRS application and the identification and analysis of the factors influencing RRS application. The main directions of future development of the recommendations to member countries are to be identified, and the list of issues are to be developed and reported to the RWMC and the CDLM at their joint sessions.

For the subsequent stage or work, the EGRRS will develop and publish its recommendations. Necessary guidelines will be developed and proposed for implementation to all interested parties.

The experience and approaches developed within the EGRRS can also be of benefit in other areas of nuclear energy beyond the nuclear back-end. Examples are nuclear fuel cycle activities, operation and safety provision of nuclear power plants (NPPs), radiochemical enterprises, scientific projects and others.