The IAEA system classifies waste primarily on the basis of half-life and is consistent with disposal routes:
| Category | Description | Disposal Route |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt Waste (EW) | Activity levels at or below clearance levels; meets criteria for exemption from regulatory control | No radiological restrictions on disposal |
| Low and Intermediate Level Waste — Short Lived (LILW-SL) | Activity concentrations above clearance levels; restricted long-lived radionuclide concentrations (generally limited to 4000 Bq/g in individual waste packages) | Near-surface disposal facility |
| Low and Intermediate Level Waste — Long Lived (LILW-LL) | Long-lived radionuclide concentrations exceeding limitations for short-lived waste | Geological disposal facility |
| High Level Waste (HLW) | Thermal power above about 2 kW/m^3; heat-generating waste | Deep geological disposal with engineered barriers; requires cooling period |