In autumn 2026, the BGE will provide an insight into the current status of its work

The Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung (BGE) will publish the next work statuses from the representative preliminary safety analyses (rvSU) in autumn 2026, thereby combining two deadlines that had originally been planned separately. On 27 October 2026, the BGE will publish a map showing that assessment steps 1 and 2 have been completed for all sub-areas, and that assessment steps 3 and 4 have also been completed for some areas. Accordingly, it will then be possible to display the first Category B areas, which are expected to offer good suitability but will not be considered further in the process because only the best areas (Category A) will be shortlisted for the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

By bringing forward the publication of B areas, which were originally due to be published in spring 2027, the BGE hopes to achieve two key benefits: First, the publication just before the 5th Forum Endlagersuche will come perfectly in time to facilitate an in-depth discussion – as part of the central participation format for the site selection procedure – on how assessment steps 3 and 4 operate within the representative preliminary safety analyses. Second, the BGE will then be able to focus entirely on finalising the siting region proposal in 2027. This is because, following the representative preliminary safety analyses, further methodological steps are required in order to identify the most suitable areas as siting regions for exploration. The proposal for the siting regions is to be submitted by the BGE to the BASE at the end of 2027.

Aiming to improve transparency in the methodology

“By combining the two deadlines, we can present the ongoing technical work at an advanced stage and actively engage with the public. With the publication in autumn 2026, we aim to establish a sound and transparent basis for information and dialogue – and, at the same time, place our focus entirely on the next milestone for 2027, namely the completion of the siting region proposal,” says Iris Graffunder, Chair of the BGE Management Board.

As in previous years, the latest work statuses will be published at The path to the siting regions: BGE Repository Search Navigator. The work status currently displayed there is that of 3 November 2025, which still shows around a quarter of Germany as being “in progress”. With the timing and content of the 2026 publication of work statuses, the BGE is establishing a key focus for public participation for the 5th Forum Endlagersuche, which will be held from 18 to 19 November 2026.

Background

The site selection procedure is taking place in three phases. First, the BGE identified sub-areas that can be expected to provide favourable geological conditions for safe final disposal. The BGE published these sub-areas in the Sub-areas Interim Report in autumn 2020. This report was discussed in detail during the first participation format provided for by law: the Conference on Sub-areas. Since then, the BGE has been progressively narrowing down the sub-areas until only the most suitable siting regions remain for surface exploration. At the end of 2027, the BGE will submit its proposal for the siting regions to the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE), which will review the proposal and consult the public. It is only once the legislators have made their subsequent decision that the siting regions will be established in a binding manner and the exploration phase will begin.