The decommissioning of a nuclear power plant is a largescale organizational and technical process comparable in time, financial and labour resources to the building of the unit. Decommissioning reactors will become a major operation over the next 50 years, with far-reaching implications including an increase in the production of radioactive waste, health and security issues, socioeconomic impacts and inevitable technical challenges. Given that the decommissioning process may take several decades, it is important that plans are defined in advance. Detailed procedures and “best practice” policies are needed to minimize the danger posed to human health and the environment by decommissioning nuclear facilities