ICPE nomenclature: modification of headings 2564 and 2565

A 2019 decree modifies the ICPE nomenclature for headings 2564 and 2565. These installations are now subject to a registration regime, with new requirements.

Marie Faucon
EHS Consultant
Update : 
12.09.2025
Publication: 
11.06.2019
Contents
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Decree no. 2019-292 of April 9, 2019 [1] amends the ICPE(installations classées pour la protection de l'environnement) nomenclature, notably to introduce the registration regime for several headings, including the following:

  • heading 2564 - Cleaning, degreasing and stripping of surfaces using organohalogenated liquids or organic solvents,
  • heading 2565 - Metallic coating or treatment (cleaning, pickling, conversion including phosphating, polishing, chemical etching, vibro-abrasion, etc.) of surfaces by electrolytic or chemical means.

Note: heading 2521 "Bitumen coating plant for road materials" has also been modified by this decree. We will not go into detail on this modification in this article.

1. ICPE nomenclature: Modification of heading 2564

Excluding 3670 installations

The scope of application of this heading has been modified: installations falling under heading 3670 "Surface treatment of materials using organic solvents" are excluded. Double classification is no longer possible.

Note: under heading 3670, installations for the surface treatment of materials, objects or products using organic solvents (priming, printing, coating, degreasing, waterproofing, gluing, painting, cleaning or impregnating operations, etc.), with an organic solvent consumption capacity of over 150 kg/h or 200 t/year, are subject to authorization.

Heading 2564 has also been rewritten to distinguish between vacuum and non-vacuum processes, and to make more plants using CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic) solvents subject to the ICPE nomenclature classification system.

Plants not operating with vacuum processes

Installations using CMR solvents (category 1A, 1B or 2) are now subject to the declaration with periodic inspection (DC) system, provided the volume of the treatment tanks is between 20 l and 1,500 l. Until now, only installations using CMR or CMR-halogenated volatile organic solvents in a non-closed machine were subject to the DC regime when the volume of the tanks exceeded 20 l.

Note: a machine is considered closed if the only openings in the treatment phase are those used for exhaust gas extraction.

The authorization system has been abolished. Facilities using organohalogenated liquids or organic solvents, and whose equivalent process tank volume exceeds 1,500 l, are now subject to registration. Until now, plants using more than 1,500 l of non-volatile organic solvents were subject to a declaration with periodic inspection.

Thus, whatever the nature of the organic solvent (volatile or non-volatile) used, non-vacuum processes are now grouped under the same sub-heading. In addition, the risk phrases mentioned have been removed following their replacement by hazard statements in accordance with the CLP Regulation.

Plants operating with vacuum processes

The threshold for classification under the declaration with periodic inspection regime remains unchanged for these installations: the volume of tanks used for treatment must still exceed 200 l.

2. ICPE nomenclature: Modification of heading 2565

The scope of application of this heading has been modified: installations falling under headings 3670 "Surface treatment of materials using organic solvents" or 3260 "Surface treatment" are excluded. Double classification of a surface treatment plant is no longer possible.

Note: under heading 3260, installations for the surface treatment of metals or plastics using an electrolytic or chemical process, where the volume of the tanks used for treatment exceeds 30m3, are subject to authorization. [For heading 3670, see above in the § relating to heading 2564].

The authorization system is replaced by the registration system. The surface treatment activities concerned (unchanged) are :

  • with the use of Cadmium ;
  • with the use of cyanides when the volume of the tanks used for treatment exceeds 200 l;
  • whose process uses liquids, when the volume of the tanks used for treatment exceeds 1,500 l.

Note: the declaration system remains unchanged.

3. General prescriptions orders

Registration 2564 & 2565

An order dated April 9, 2019 [2] sets out the requirements applicable to facilities subject to registration under heading no. 2564 or heading no. 2565. It first defines common requirements and then specific requirements for each heading.

The scope of the Order of June 30, 2006 has been modified [3]: it now applies only to installations classified under heading 3260, and no longer to installations classified under heading 2565.

For existing 2565 classified facilities moving from authorization to registration, the main changes are as follows:

  • The plant must be operated under the supervision (direct or indirect) of a person designated by the operator. This person must be familiar with the operation of the plant, the hazards and drawbacks it entails, the products used or stored in the plant, and the measures to be taken in the event of an incident.
  • The inventory of at-risk areas must systematically include areas where flammable substances or mixtures, or those with hazard symbols H300, H301, H310, H311, H330, H331, H370 or H372, are used or stored.
  • In parts of the facility identified as being at risk, repair or refurbishment work may only be carried out once a document or file has been drawn up, based on an analysis of the risks associated with the work. This requirement is met by drawing up a prevention plan. In addition, a check that the work has been carried out correctly is carried out and recorded before work resumes. No hot spots of any kind may be brought into parts of the installation where there is a risk of fire or explosion.
  • Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic installations in areas classified as "Potentially Explosive Atmospheres" must be adapted to the ATEX risk.
  • The content of safety and operating instructions has been modified.
  • PPE (personal protective equipment) adapted to the risks involved in responding to an incident is kept close to the chemical depot and the place of use. This equipment is maintained and checked periodically. Personnel are trained in their use.
  • The pH of discharged aqueous effluent must be between 5.5 and 8.5 9.5 if alkaline neutralization is used (previously between 6.5 and 9).

Declaration 2564

Another order dated April 9, 2019 [4] sets out the requirements applicable to facilities subject to declaration for heading no. 2564. For facilities included in an establishment subject to authorization, this decree applies when the prefectoral decree does not govern these facilities.

It repeals and replaces the order of June 21, 2004.

For installations existing on April 12, 2019, the main new features are as follows:

  • Specific provisions have been introduced for machines using a vacuum process, concerning waste treatment when CMR products are used, purification system maintenance and leak testing.
  • The inventory of at-risk parts must systematically include those parts affected by the use or storage of volatile organic solvents with hazard statements H340, H350, H350i, H360D, H360F (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction) or halogenated solvents with hazard statements H341 or H351, and volatile organic solvents with hazard statements H224, H225 or H226 (flammable). [*]
  • The content of safety and operating instructions has been modified [*].
  • With regard to rainwater management systems, the provisions of article 43 of the aforementioned ministerial decree of February 2, 1998 apply. The operator may, however, propose solutions for managing rainwater by infiltration.
  • With regard to limit values for pollutants discharged by aqueous industrial effluents:
  • the maximum COD content of 300 mg/l (in the case of discharge into the natural environment or into a network without a treatment plant) applies up to a daily flow of 50 kg/d (previously 100 kg/d);
  • New threshold values have been defined for discharge into the natural environment or into a network without a treatment plant. Here are a few examples:
  • the maximum nitrogen content when the daily flow exceeds 50 kg/d is 50 mg/l ;
  • the maximum chromium VI content is 0.1 mg/l ;
  • the maximum chloroform content is 0.25 mg/l.
  • With regard to limit values for pollutants discharged by atmospheric effluents, VOC emission values are clarified in a table.
  • The plant must have sufficient reserves of consumable products or materials used routinely or occasionally to protect the environment, such as filter bags, neutralizing products, inhibiting liquids, absorbents, emulsifiers...
  • When water is drawn from the natural environment, the frequency of water consumption readings is specified: when the flow of water drawn is greater than 100 m3/d, consumption readings must be taken daily; monthly readings are required if the flow is lower.
  • Provisions relating to fire hydrants are specified. The minimum water flow rate is set at 60m3/h for 2 hours. The operator must be able to justify the availability of flow rates and water reserves. External access to the building containing the facility is less than 200 meters from a fire hydrant. Fire hydrants are no more than 150 meters apart. [**]
  • Areas identified as being at risk must be equipped with an automatic fire detection system. [**]

[*] applicable from April 12, 2020.

[**] applicable from April 12, 2021.

Declaration 2565

The Order of June 30, 1997 [5], applicable to facilities declared under heading 2565, has not been amended.

In conclusion, for sites changing from authorization to registration under headings 2564 or 2565 :

  • in order to benefit from grandfathering rights, inform the Classified Installations Inspectorate before April 12, 2020 that the site is changing from authorization to registration;
  • the prefectoral decree remains applicable;
  • apply the provisions applicable to existing facilities of the Order of April 9, 2019 "Registration 2564 & 2565".

For sites subject to declaration under heading 2564: take into account the Order of April 9, 2019 "Declaration 2564" and in particular the changes compared with the Order of June 21, 2004.

For sites subject to declaration under heading 2565, the decree of June 30, 1997 still applies.

[1] Decree no. 2019-292 of April 9, 2019 amending the ICPE nomenclature [JORF of April 11, 2019].

[2] Arrêté du 9 avril 2019 relatif aux prescriptions générales applicables aux installations relevant du régime de l'enregistrement au titre de la rubrique n° 2564 (nettoyage, dégraissage, décapage de surfaces par des procédés utilisant des liquides organohalogénés ou des solvants organiques) ou de la rubrique n° 2565 (revêtement métallique ou traitement de surfaces par voie électrolytique ou chimique) de la nomenclature ICPE [JORF du 11 avril 2019]

[3] Arrêté du 30 juin 2006 relatif aux installations de traitements de surfaces soumises à autorisation au titre de la rubrique 2565 de la nomenclature ICPE MODIFIE PAR l'Arrêté du 9 avril 2019 [JORF du 11 avril 2019]

[4] Arrêté du 9 avril 2019 relatif aux prescriptions générales applicables aux installations classées pour la protection de l'environnement soumises à déclaration avec contrôle périodique sous la rubrique n° 2564 (nettoyage, dégraissage, décapage de surfaces par des procédés utilisant des liquides organohalogénés ou des solvants organiques) de la nomenclature ICPE [JORF du 11 avril 2019]

[5] Arrêté du 30 juin 1997 relatif aux prescriptions générales applicables aux installations classées pour la protection de l'environnement soumises à déclaration sous la rubrique n° 2565 : Métaux et matières plastiques (traitement des) pour le dégraissage, le décapage, la conversion, le polissage, la métallisation..., par voie électrolytique, chimique, ou par emploi de liquides halogénés [JORF du 30 juillet 1997].

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