After an extended period under the care and maintenance regime:
- Buildings are demolished, rubbish cleared, and the site is returned for unrestricted (greenfield) or partially restricted (brownfield) use
- For a reactor, this involves complete dismantling of the biological shield, the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) and all associated structures
- Removal of all radioactive material from the site
- The licensee must demonstrate to the regulator that there is “no longer any danger from ionising radiation”