Proceedings of the 12th International INQUA meeting on paleoseismology, active tectonic and archaeoseismology

386 PATA Days 2024 a 10 km radius from the potential site per 100 000 years (SSI 2005:20). Importantly, the approach based on observational data, shows that the earthquake frequency increase with a factor of approximately 30 when the non-verified claims of paleoseismic activity is included. That is, 3 earthquakes greater than magnitude 6 within a 10 km radius from the potential site per 100 000 years Thus, even if these highly uncertain claims of paleoseismicity are used, it has no major effect on the estimated seismic hazard over time at the site. The contributions of the external experts have been essential for SSM’s license review and for identifying topics potentially in need for further investigations. This is a process that needs to build on the reviewers’ competence and detailed review work. The external consultation ensured that SSM was able to gain an understanding of the issues connected to the site investigations from the start. When the license application review began there was no need to start with a review of the extensive site investigation documentation. C O N C L U S I O N S When reviewing the siting process and/or an application for a sensitive facility such as a spent fuel repository, external support is essential. Essential not only with regards building confidence in the assessment of the spatial and temporal variations of the seismic activity in Sweden, or any other technical issues at hand. But also regarding building stakeholder trust in the review process and ultimately in the decision making process. Thus, the procurement processes is an important high-level regulatory instrument. Especially, as was the case for SSM, if the authority have limited resources with respect to competences and workforce size. In such case, it is important to be able to direct the limited review resources to the most important issues. But it can be challenging to formulate effective assignments, given that the rules of the public procurement processmight inhibited discussions with the experts prior to defining the assignments. Therefore the procurement processes needs careful preparations when it comes to the description of the review topics that is in need of external support. Thus, the procurement processes is an important step in the review process that needs careful planning in order for it to be successful. A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S Members of SSM‘s review group as well as SSM’s external experts are gratefully acknowledged.