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As every month, we present the main regulatory topics for April 2026 concerning energy, environment, safety, and security.
The list below is an excerpt of publications in the French and European official journals for April 2026.
ENVIRONMENT
Updates regarding the PFAS substance monitoring campaign in urban wastewater treatment plants
Order of September 3, 2025, concerning the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in influent and effluent of urban wastewater treatment plants, AMENDED BY Order of April 20, 2026 [JORF of April 29, 2026]
The Order of April 20, 2026, adds the measurement of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to the monitoring campaigns for per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in influent and effluent of urban wastewater treatment plants.
A specific derogation for TFA is added concerning the number of measurements. Thus, for this substance, at least two measurements in influent and two measurements in effluent must be carried out (instead of three). These two measurements can be performed separately from the measurements of other PFAS.
The deadline for completing the campaign, initially set for December 31, 2026, is postponed to June 30, 2027. A new deadline of September 1, 2027, is added, specifically for urban wastewater treatment plants experiencing annual peak loads during the summer period.
Update of the list of woods and forests exposed to fire risk
Order of February 6, 2024, classifying woods and forests exposed to fire risk under Articles L. 132-1 and L. 133-1 of the Forestry Code, AMENDED BY Order of April 13 [JORF of April 28, 2026]
The Order of April 13, 2026, updates the list of woods and forests not located in departments particularly exposed to fire risk but individually classified as high fire risk (Annex 1), as well as the list of lower-risk forest massifs not considered particularly exposed to this risk (Annex 2).
This text is issued in application of the law on forests, aiming to strengthen the prevention and fight against the intensification and spread of fire risk, and is linked to legal brush clearing obligations.
Update of EU Member States' policy concerning water pollution, the review of substance watch lists, and associated environmental quality standards
Directive 2000/60/EC of October 23, 2000, establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, AMENDED BY Directive (EU) 2026/805 of March 30, 2026, amending Directive 2000/60/EC, Directive 2006/118/EC on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration, and Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy [OJEU of April 20, 2026]
Directive 2026/805 aims to better account for the monitoring of certain substances, particularly PFAS (including trifluoroacetic acid - TFA), certain pharmaceutical products, pesticide residues, as well as microplastics and "antimicrobial resistance indicators." It revises the pollutant watch lists, certain environmental quality standards, and pollution indicators.
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ENERGY
Taking into account the extended scope of RE2020 in the calculation methods for energy and environmental performance for the buildings concerned and the certificates to be provided
Order of 4 August 2021 relating to the energy and environmental performance requirements for building constructions in metropolitan France and approving the calculation method provided for in Article R. 172-6 of the Construction and Housing Code AND Order of 9 December 2021 relating to certificates of compliance with energy and environmental performance requirements for building constructions in metropolitan France and amending the Order of 11 October 2011 relating to certificates of compliance with thermal regulations for new buildings or new parts of buildings AMENDED BY the Order of 19 March 2026 [Official Journal of 29 April 2026]
As a reminder, the scope of application of the regulations on the energy and environmental performance of buildings ("RE2020") has been extended to constructions for which a building permit application or a prior declaration is filed from May 1, 2026, for the following types of buildings or parts of buildings, notably industrial and craft buildings; restaurants; shops; changing rooms only; healthcare facilities with accommodation; health establishments…
The Order of March 19, 2026, allows for this extension of the RE2020 scope to be taken into account:
- by defining the calculation methods for energy and environmental performance, in metropolitan France, for the types of buildings now subject to these regulations.
- in the procedures for certifying compliance with RE2020 requirements, to be attached to building permit applications and declarations of completion of works.
SAFETY
Developments in OELVs and BLVs concerning lead, diisocyanates, and diesel engine exhaust emissions
Labor Code Articles R. 4412-1 to R. 4412-160 159: Measures for the prevention of chemical risks AND Decree of June 30, 2004 establishing the list of indicative occupational exposure limit values in application of Article R.4412-150 of the Labor Code MODIFIED BY Decree No. 2026-253 of April 8, 2026 [Official Journal of April 9, 2026]
Two new binding OELVs have been added concerning:
- Diisocyanates effective from January 1st 2029 (with an indicative OELV for diisocyanates added until then)
- Diesel engine exhaust emissions since April 10, 2026
Amendment to the binding OELV concerning:
- metallic lead and its compounds, which is replaced by lead and its inorganic compounds - lowered to 0.03 mg/m3 (previously 0.1 mg/m3) since April 9, 2026.
The biological limit values for lead have also been lowered.
Medical monitoring for workers exposed to lead is changing (removal of exposure/blood lead level conditions for enhanced individual monitoring).
SECURITY
Application procedures for the approval, registration, or classification of mixtures involving drug precursors
Customs Code Articles A. 241-1 to A. 243-18: Specific regime applicable to drug precursors ESTABLISHED BY the order of April 8, 2026 concerning part of the Customs Code Orders [French Official Journal of April 11, 2026]
This section of the Customs Code, established by the order of April 8, 2026, defines the administrative procedures and obligations for operators handling drug precursors.
Prior to any application for approval or registration, any operator may request the creation of an account in the 'DELPHES' online service by providing its company name, unique identification number, operator category, contact details, and those of the person who will be designated as responsible.
Furthermore, any application for the classification of a mixture or natural product must be sent to the National Chemical Precursors Control Unit.