Changes to the ICPE nomenclature coming into force in 2021

In this article, we take a look at the changes to the nomenclature of Installations Classées pour la Protection de l'Environnement (ICPE) in 2021, for which it may be necessary to submit a request to the authorities for the benefit of anteriority.

As a reminder, when the ICPE nomenclature is modified and :

• Whether this has an upward or downward impact on the classification status of an activity or facility that is already classified;
• That this brings an activity or facility under a classification regime.

Within one year of the date of entry into force, the operator must submit a request to the authorities to continue operating the activity or facility in question.

Note: if the activity or facility becomes unclassified as a result of this change to the nomenclature, it is advisable to also send information to the authorities. Remember that a classified activity or facility that has not been operated for three consecutive years will lose its classification.

January^1, 2022: Modification of nomenclature - headings 1510, 1511, 1530, 1532, 2662, 2663 and 2160

(Decree no. 2020-1169 of September 24, 2020)

These changes to the nomenclature came into force on January^1, 2021. Any request for anteriority must be made before January^1, 2022.

Category 1510 [https://hse-reglementaire.com/rubrique-1510-evolution-quels-impacts-entrepots-couverts/]: Warehouses storing more than 500 tonnes of combustible materials

• Overhaul of warehouse volume calculation methods in application of the updated warehouse classification guide [https://aida.ineris.fr/liste_documents/1/102942/0]
• Modification of the authorization system :
  • Warehouse construction projects subject to systematic environmental assessment (*) are now subject to authorization, whatever their volume.
  • The authorization system has been made more flexible. The lower threshold has been raised from 300,000 m3 to 900,000 m3 (warehouse volume). Consequently, the registration system has been extended. The upper threshold of this regime is raised from 300,000 m3 to 900,000 m3 (warehouse volume).
• Elimination of double classification with headings 1511, 1530, 1532, 2662 and 2663.

Heading 1511: exclusively refrigerated warehouses

• Authorization regime abolished. As a result, the registration system has been extended to cover warehouses with a volume of 50,000^m3 or more.
• Elimination of double classification with heading 1510.

Heading 1530: Deposits of paper, cardboard or similar combustible materials

• Authorization regime abolished. As a result, the registration system has been extended to cover storage facilities with a volume of 20,000^m3 or more.
• Elimination of double classification with heading 1510.

Heading 1532: Storage of wood or similar combustible materials

• Modification of the authorization system. It now only applies to the storage of materials likely to release flammable dust, where the volume stored exceeds 50,000 m³. For other types of materials, storage facilities are classified under the registration system when the volume exceeds 20,000^m3.
• Elimination of double classification with heading 1510.

Heading 2662: Storage of polymers

• Authorization regime abolished. As a result, the registration system has been extended to cover storage facilities with a volume of 1,000^m3 or more.
• Elimination of double classification with heading 1510.

Heading 2663: Storage of tires and products of which at least 50% of the total unit mass is composed of polymers

• Authorization system abolished. As a result, the registration system has been extended to cover storage facilities with a volume of 2,000^m3 or more⁽ for foamed or expanded products) or 10,000^m3 or more (in other cases).
• Elimination of double classification with heading 1510.

Category 2160: Silos and bulk storage facilities for cereals, grains, food products or any organic product emitting flammable dusts

• Elimination of double classification with item 1532.

September 1, 2022: Modification of nomenclature - headings 2910 and 2921

(Decree no. 2021-976 of July 21, 21)

These changes came into force on September^1, 2021. Any request for anteriority must be made before September^1, 2022.

Heading 2910: Combustion plants

• Modification of the method for calculating the rated thermal input required for classification. This rated thermal input is now calculated at plant level, rather than at site level. As a result, there may be several combustion plants on the same site, with different classification regimes. Data sheets [https://aida.ineris.fr/taxonomy/term/120] have been published by the Ministry to explain these classification procedures.

Entry 2921: Evaporative cooling systems using water dispersion in an air stream

• Creation of a sub-heading for the classification of installations for the recovery of heat by dispersion of water in fumes emitted into the atmosphere, with a single declaration regime.

December 4, 2022: Modification of nomenclature - headings 2120 and 2445

These changes came into force on December 4, 2021. Any request for anteriority must be made before December 4, 2022.

Heading 2120: Breeding, sale, transit, keeping, holding, sheltering, pounding, etc., of dogs

• Introduction of a registration system for activities involving between 51 and 250 dogs. As a result, establishments with more than 250 animals (previously 50) are now subject to authorization.
• Facilities for keeping and sheltering dogs are explicitly mentioned in the heading.

Category 2445: Paper and cardboard processing

• Replacement of the authorization system by a registration system for paper and cardboard converting activities where production capacity exceeds 20 t/d.

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Photo credit: 114334797 @Jérôme Rommé