The concept of the IGD-TP and its Secretariat derives from the results of the FP5 project Net.Excel and from the FP6 project CARD, where the feasibility to establish such a technology platform in the field of deep geological disposal in Europe was studied with a favourable end result. The concept of the European Technology Platforms (ETPs) was first introduced in the EC Communication "Industrial Policy in an enlarged Europe" in December 2002. Further the European Council outlined in its decision 2006/976/EURATOM a need for "Implementation-oriented R&D activities on all remaining key aspects of deep geological disposal". The IGD-TP is in line with the EC strategies and has the same goal related to the timely implementation of safe and socially acceptable deep geological disposal.

The European Commission (EC) introduced technology platforms as tools to develop a common vision and strategic research agenda with short- and medium term objectives for implementation. The ambition here is to bring together research and development-relevant stakeholders with various backgrounds e.g. regulatory bodies at various geo-political levels, industry, public authorities, research institutes and the academic community, the financial world, and the civil society, who would develop a long-term research and development strategy in areas of research needed in Europe.

The mission of the Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform (IGD-TP) is to be a tool to support confidence-building in the safety and implementation of deep geological disposal solutions. A strategic research agenda (SRA), the means of working together, and a detailed Deployment Plan (DP) will be developed by the IGD-TP with the Secretariat's assistance. The platform will facilitate access to expertise and technology, interact with the stakeholders, and communicate the results to the benefit of all of Europe. The IGD-TP start up takes place in an integrated manner and in parallel with the Secretariat project (SecIGD) as part of the IGD-TP organisation.

The European level benefits from the work of the organisations readiest to implement geological disposal and the results of addressing the remaining scientific and technical challenges prior the submission of the licences for deep geological disposal will not be transferred to a broader scope of the stakeholders in the deep disposal community at least while the licensing process is ongoing, unless a dedicated Secretariat is available to bring different resources together and to carry out the daily tasks needed for dissemination and information management. Further Secretariat tasks requiring special dedication include the production and publication of related document, the management of the working groups' work, the dissemination of information and the results, the organisation of forums for knowledge sharing, the facilitation of the work of these forums, and the joint work for the deployment of the SRA. Also the benefits of learning from the in-situ or industrial scale demonstrations as they are carried out will be limited to only a few organizations without a Secretariat. However, the example of demonstrating an existing deep disposal facility or several facilities in operation is needed also for confidence-building among the European citizens.

 
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