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The list below is an extract from the French and European official gazettes concerning the environment, energy and health and safety at work in April 2025.
ENVIRONMENT
Adapting the allocation of free quotas
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1842 of October 31, 2019 laying down detailed rules for the application of Directive 2003/87/EC as regards additional modalities for adaptations of the allocation of emission allowances free of charge linked to variations in the level of activity AMENDED BY Implementing Regulation 2025/772 of April 16, 2025 [OJEU of April 22, 2025].
In order to take into account the changes introduced into Directive 2003/87/EC of October 13, 2003, known as the "ETS", and Regulation 2019/331 of December 19, 2018, known as the "FAR", concerning the issue of free allowances, this regulation clarifies and harmonizes the rules and methods relating to the dynamic allocation of emission allowances free of charge.
In particular, it provides details on :
- Suspension of the issuance of allowances free of charge ;
- The procedures for recovering the full allocation of allowances free of charge for operators whose allocation is conditional on the implementation of the recommendations of energy audits and energy management systems;
- Procedural steps in the cross-compliance rules for climate neutrality plans ;
- Adaptation of the quantity of allowances allocated and calculation of the level of activity for certain reference systems;
- Termination of business.
Specifications for individual systems, eco-organizations and coordinating bodies for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for batteries
Arrêté du 27 mars 2025 portant cahiers des charges des éco-organismes, des systèmes individuels et des organismes coordonnateurs de la filière à responsabilité élargie du producteur des batteries [JORF du 13 avril 2025] [Decree of March 27, 2025 concerning the specifications of eco-organizations, individual systems and coordinating bodies for the extended producer responsibility sector for batteries [JORF of April 13, 2025].
To meet their EPR obligations, battery producers must set up an approved individual system or join an approved eco-organization. This decree sets out the procedures for setting up an individual system or joining an eco-organization for the EPR battery sector, as well as the content of the specifications for this sector.
SAFETY
Modifications to the monitoring of workers' state of health for work requiring authorization to drive and/or electrical clearance
Labor Code Articles R. 4323-1 to R.4323-110 Organizational measures and conditions of use of work equipment and personal protective equipment AND Labor Code Articles R. 4544-1 to R. 4544-11-2: Operations on electrical installations or in their vicinity AMENDED BY Decree no. 2025-355 of April 18, 2025 on individual monitoring of workers' health, as well as driving authorization and authorizations to perform certain operations provided for in Articles R. 4323-56 and R. 4544-9 of the Labor Code [JORF of April 19, 2025].
With effect from October1, 2025, this decree removes from the list of workers subject to reinforced individual health monitoring (SIR) those who hold a driving and/or electrical authorization.
Instead, employers will be required to issue a driving license and/or an electrical authorization for work involving live voltages or operations in the vicinity of bare live parts, subject to the worker's submission of a medical certificate issued by the occupational physician, attesting to the absence of medical contraindication. The procedures for issuing, validating and transmitting this certificate are specified in the decree. A decree is expected to set the model for this attestation.
Occupational injury and disease risk pricing for 2025
Order of April 29, 2025 concerning the pricing of occupational injury and disease risks for 2025 [JORF of April 30, 2025].
This decree sets the rates for occupational injury and disease risks for the year 2025. It includes 3 appendices:
- Appendix 1: Collective net rates applicable in 2025 ;
- Appendix 2: 2025 scales of average temporary and permanent disability costs ;
- Appendix 3: collective net rates applicable in 2025 in the Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin and Moselle départements.
Changes to solid-fuel heating systems in public buildings (Etablissements Recevant du Public - ERP)
Arrêté du 25 juin 1980 portant approbation des dispositions générales du règlement de sécurité contre les risques d'incendie et de panique dans les établissements recevant du public MODIFIE PAR arrêté du 1er avril 2025 [JORF du 9 avril 2025] (French only)
As part of the prevention of fire and panic risks in ERP buildings, the decree of April 1, 2025 amends the provisions applicable to heating systems using solid fuels, located inside or outside ERP buildings, and to premises containing these fuels. The following points are covered:
- Scope clarification ;
- Constructive provisions for premises housing combustion appliances with a total output of >30kW and ≤70kW ;
- Use and storage of solid fuels ;
- Installation conditions for open and closed hearth fireplaces, inserts and ethanol-burning appliances.