Security of Seveso Sites: Regulations

This text describes the security obligations for Seveso sites, including access monitoring and inventory of hazardous materials. External companies must also provide a security file.

Marie Faucon
Consultante HSE
Publication : 
08.01.2020
Table of Contents
Example H2
Request a demo

Please note: This article concerns French legislation. The requirements described may not apply in other countries.

‍

The Seveso sites are subject to particular security risks. The decree of July 25, 2017, extending the agreement concluded under the national collective bargaining agreement for the chemical industries, thus sets specific requirements for operators of Seveso sites - covered by this agreement - regarding security, particularly concerning the involvement of external companies.

The main security measures for Seveso sites

To maintain and improve the security of Seveso establishments, companies in the sector must implement the following main measures:

  • Monitor and control access for people, vehicles, and objects entering the site, by adapting the technical and human resources for this activity in consultation with the social and economic committee (CSE) / committee for hygiene, safety, and working conditions (CHSCT);
  • Formalize a mapping of sensitive areas and their access conditions for all personnel;
  • Keep the inventory of hazardous material stocks up to date to quickly detect theft and report it to the authorities.

A security file to be provided by service providers and subcontractors

The contracting company (or user company) must establish selection criteria for choosing external companies operating on its Seveso site. These service providers and subcontractors must, for their part, submit a security file to the contracting company, which must include:

  • The definition of their security policy;
  • The description of the personnel recruitment process (job description, candidate evaluation methods...);
  • The instructions and procedures for managing security;
  • The security training/awareness sessions they organize for their employees;
  • Analysis of any security incidents encountered, as well as the lessons learned.


Furthermore, external companies are required to provide the contracting company with a list of employees working on the Seveso site, so that they can obtain site access authorization. Any personnel replacement must be subject to prior notification by the subcontracting company.

Finally, more specifically concerning Seveso sites upper-tier, selected external companies must be certified by an external body. Since 2008, this certification has been obtained after an audit conducted according to the procedures of the common MASE-UIC system.

‍