Part of a series to inform nuclear facility designers, vendors, operators and State governments about IAEA safeguards and how associated requirements can be considered early in the design phase of a new nuclear facility, this publication is applicable to the design of radioactive waste management programmes covering both facilities and waste forms. The potential to reduce costs, avoid retrofits and achieve efficiencies, both for the operator and for IAEA Member States, are important drivers for the early consideration of safeguards in the design of a radioactive waste management programme. This early consideration is recommended as radioactive waste management programmes are one of the few places where safeguards on nuclear material may be terminated under certain circumstances. The publication is intended primarily to be of use to waste management professionals for any facilities that handle safeguarded nuclear materials; policy makers responsible for waste management decisions; safeguards professionals involved in the application of safeguards to waste packages and facilities at the State or International level.