An item may sometimes be described as being a virtual item when it is a representation or non-tangible abstraction of the physical object, or is a functional emulation or simulation of it.
While near-surface disposal of short-lived nuclear waste has reached industrial maturity, deep geological disposal of long-lived spent fuel is not yet as far. An EU-funded initiative brought together regulators and technical safety organisations (TSOs) to develop a network of independent experts and evaluate deep geological repositories.