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The list below is an extract of publications in the French and European official journals concerning environment, energy, and occupational health and safety for July and August 2023.
ENVIRONMENT
Procedure for authorization for the use of treated wastewater and rainwater
Environmental Code Articles R. 211-123 to R. 211-137: Uses and conditions for the use of rainwater and treated wastewater ESTABLISHED BY Decree No. 2023-835 of August 29, 2023, relating to the uses and conditions for the use of rainwater and treated wastewater [JORF of August 30, 2023]
This decree introduces into the Environmental Code provisions relating to the uses and conditions for the reuse of treated wastewater (previously in Decree No. 2022-336 of March 10, 2022) and defines the conditions for the use of rainwater for non-domestic purposes, without an authorization procedure. This decree also aims to simplify procedures related to treated wastewater to facilitate resource reuse.
New Battery Regulation
Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council of July 12, 2023, on batteries and waste batteries [OJEU of July 28, 2023]
The purpose of this new regulation is to update and strengthen European Union law concerning batteries and waste battery management, particularly by setting harmonized requirements for sustainability, safety, labeling, marking, and information to allow batteries to be placed on the market or put into service within the Union, as well as minimum requirements for extended producer responsibility, the collection and treatment of waste batteries, and information provision.
Strengthening of Legal Brush Clearing Obligations (OLD)
Provisions of the Environmental Code and the Forestry Code AMENDED BY Law No. 2023-580 of July 10, 2023, aimed at strengthening the prevention and fight against the intensification and spread of fire risk [JORF of July 11, 2023]
This law strengthens existing brush clearing obligations. It now includes SEVESO-classified ICPEs whose land is located less than 200 meters from woods and forests. It also specifies the case of a sale or lease of land subject to an OLD, which must be communicated to the new owner/tenant.
Amendment to the "integrated" decree of February 2, 1998
Decree of June 2, 1998, relating to the technical rules that must be met by facilities subject to authorization under heading 2680-2 of the nomenclature of classified facilities for environmental protection AMENDED BY the decree of July 7, 2023, modifying the decree of February 2, 1998 [JORF of July 14, 2023]
A number of provisions are specified or amended concerning emission limit values applicable during instantaneous sampling, pollutant concentrations and compatibility with the receiving environment, or rainwater from light vehicle parking areas.
SAFETY
Lowering of thresholds associated with certain occupational risk factors
Labour Code Articles D. 4161-1 and R. 4163-1 to R. 4163-7: Occupational Risk Factors – Professional Prevention Account: Exposure Declarations AMENDED BY Decree No. 2023-760 of August 10, 2023, implementing Article 17 of Law No. 2023-270 of April 14, 2023, on the amending social security finance for 2023 [JORF of August 11, 2023]
The thresholds associated with certain occupational risks have been lowered. These include:
- Night work: reduced from 120 to 100 nights per year;
- Alternating shift work: reduced from 50 to 30 nights per year.
Addition of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid to the list of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 20, 2019, on persistent organic pollutants AMENDED BY Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1608 of May 30, 2023, amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council for the purpose of listing perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds therein [Official Journal of the European Union of August 8, 2023]
This new substance is added to the list of prohibited POPs (unless otherwise exempted).