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The list below is an excerpt from publications in the French and European official journals concerning environment, energy, and occupational health and safety from January 2025.
ENVIRONMENT
New requirements for packaging waste
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste [OJEU of 22 January 2025]
This regulation sets new obligations concerning packaging and packaging waste for all economic operators (manufacturers, producers; importers; distributors; order fulfillment service providers...). These obligations correspond, depending on the case, to:
- Sustainability obligations;
- Obligations regarding labeling, packaging marking, and end-user information;
- Re-use obligations;
- Obligations concerning storage, handling, conditioning, or shipping;
- Obligations to register in the producer register in each Member State where packaging or packaged products are made available;
- ...
Exemptions exist for certain packaging categories and are specified in the corresponding articles (dangerous goods, medical devices, foodstuffs, ...).
This regulation repeals Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. It applies from 12 August 2026.
Clarifications on ICPE heading 2925
Interpretation Note for heading 2925: Classification of charging stations for light electric vehicles in outdoor parking areas not open to the public / Classification of installations distributed across a site
Heading 2925 concerns electric accumulator charging workshops. The interpretation note associated with this heading provides clarifications on the classification under 2925.
Thus:
- The concept of "workshop" should be understood broadly. The term "workshop" refers to the location where the activity is carried out, whether it is a covered space or not; in a building or in open-air parking areas. Therefore, all power capacities of equipment operated by the same operator (ESS, EV charging stations, charging room, forklift, vehicles, etc.) must be aggregated at the site level to check if the classification threshold is exceeded.
- Charging stations (EVSE) for light vehicles and heavy goods vehicles located within a company are not considered public charging points. They are therefore not excluded from the scope of this heading and may be subject to this classification if the maximum current power usable for this operation exceeds the 600 kW threshold.
Extension of self-monitoring for wastewater treatment systems
Decree of July 21, 2015, relating to collective sanitation systems and non-collective sanitation installations, with the exception of non-collective sanitation installations receiving a gross organic pollution load of less than or equal to 1.2 kg/day of BOD5 MODIFIED BY Decree of December 24, 2024 [JORF of January 1st January 2025]
Depending on the capacity of the wastewater treatment system, various modifications and clarifications are introduced regarding document production, self-monitoring of wastewater treatment plants, and the execution of technical controls for these self-monitoring devices.
Henceforth, for non-collective sanitation systems treating:
- Between 1.2 kg < gross pollution load ≤ 12 kg / day of BOD5: the operators of these systems must draw up and maintain a system logbook describing the operation, management, monitoring, and follow-up of the system;
- A gross pollution load > 12 kg / day of BOD5: operators must also maintain a system logbook and produce an operational assessment for this system (annually if the wastewater treatment system treats > 30 kg / day of BOD5, every two years otherwise).
Furthermore, for plants treating a daily capacity between 12 and 120 kg/day, self-monitoring measurements must now be carried out according to specifications available on the Ministry's website. However, for plants treating a CBPO ≥ 120 kg/day, the self-monitoring manual no longer needs to conform to the defined ministerial manual template.
SAFETY
Definition of exemptions to the prohibition of the use of plant protection products for sports facilities or parts of sports facilities
Order of January 10, 2025, establishing the list of uses of plant protection products for which no alternative technical solution allows achieving the required quality in the context of official competitions for sports facilities or parts of sports facilities [Official Journal of January 18, 2025]
As a reminder, the Order of May 4, 2017, concerning the placing on the market and use of certain plant protection products and their adjuvants, establishes the principle of prohibiting the use of certain plant protection products for sports facilities (large playing fields, golf courses, racecourses, grass tennis courts, etc.) effective January 1, 2025.
The Order of January 10, 2025, determines the list of uses of plant protection products that are subject to an exemption from this prohibition for sports facilities or parts of sports facilities where no alternative technical solution allows achieving the required quality in the context of official competitions.
Regulation of safety rules applicable to temporary and demountable structures
Construction and Housing Code Articles R. 131-5 to R. 131-7: Temporary and Demountable Structures CREATED BY Decree No. 2025-83 of January 30, 2025, concerning the application of Articles L. 131-1 and L. 134-12 of the Construction and Housing Code [Official Journal of January 31, 2025]
The Decree of January 30, 2025, creates a new section within the Construction and Housing Code regarding temporary and demountable structures. The section imposes an obligation for the design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of these types of structures according to safety rules that will be defined by order. Manufacturers, installers, owners, and event organizers are each responsible for complying with these rules and carrying out the necessary checks.
Increased criminal penalties related to smoking and vaping bans in certain public places
Public Health Code Articles R. 3512-2 to R. 3512-9, R. 3513-1 to R. 3513-4 and R. 3515-1 to R. 3515-8: Prohibition of smoking and vaping in places designated for collective use MODIFIED BY Decree No. 2025-68 of January 25, 2025, concerning safety in public transport [Official Journal of January 26, 2025]
As a reminder, vaping is prohibited in:
- Enclosed and covered collective workplaces;
- Enclosed public transport;
- Educational institutions and establishments for the reception, training, and accommodation of minors.
Smoking is also prohibited, among other places, in enclosed and covered public places or workplaces, outside of designated areas, and on public transport.
These two offenses are now punishable by 4thclass fines (135 euros).