.svg)
The list below is an extract from the French and European official gazettes concerning the environment, energy and health and safety at work in June 2023.
ENVIRONMENT
Implementation of a campaign to identify and analyze PFAS in aqueous discharges from several industrial sectors
Arrêté du 20 juin 2023 relatif à l'analyse des substances per- et polyfluoroalkylées dans les rejets aqueux des installations classées pour la protection de l'environnement relevant du régime de l'autorisation [JORF du 27 juin 2023] [Decree of June 20, 2023 on the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances in aqueous discharges from facilities classified for environmental protection under the authorization regime [JORF of June 27, 2023
Per- or polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS ) are eternal pollutants.
Operators of ICPEs subject to authorization (under one of the headings listed, or ICPE establishments subject to authorization using, producing, treating or discharging PFAS must :
- Carry out within 3 months an inventory of PFAS substances used, produced, treated or discharged by their installations, as well as PFAS substances produced by degradation;
- Estimate the total quantity of PFAS substances present, in fluoride equivalent, using the method defined ;
- Carry out a monthly 3-month campaign to identify and analyze PFAS substances at each of their aqueous discharge points, in accordance with the defined regulatory schedule;
- Transmit analysis campaign results electronically to the Classified Installations Inspectorate no later than the last day of the month following each campaign (via the GIDAF tool if correctly configured).
Restrictions on water abstraction and consumption, for ICPEs subject to authorization or registration and abstracting more than 10,000m3 of water per year
Order of June 30, 2023 relating to drought-period restrictions on water abstraction and consumption by installations classified for environmental protection [JORF of July 5, 2023].
As an ICPE subject to authorization/registration withdrawing more than 10,000m3/year and during periods of drought (unless exempted): Actions must be implemented according to the severity level (vigilance, alert, reinforced alert, crisis), in order to achieve the requested water withdrawal reductions, no later than 3 days after the severity level is triggered.
A certain amount of data must then be transmitted at regular intervals via this site
ENERGY
Insulation of heating and cooling distribution networks in commercial and multi-family residential buildings
Code de l'énergie Articles R. 241-6 : Dispositions relatives au calorifugeage des réseaux de distribution de chaleur et de froid CREE PAR le décret n° 2023-444 du 7 juin 2023 [JORF du 08 juin 2023]
Arrêté du 8 juin 2023 relatif aux systèmes de régulation de la température des systèmes de chauffage et de refroidissement et au calorifugeage des réseaux de distribution de chaleur et de froid [JORF of June 15, 2023] [Decree of June 8, 2023 on temperature control systems for heating and cooling systems and insulation of heat and cold distribution networks].
With a view to reducing energy consumption, this article makes it compulsory, from January 1, 2027, to insulate heating and cooling distribution networks in multi-family residential buildings (or parts thereof) and in buildings (or parts thereof) used for commercial activities, whether in new or existing buildings.
The characteristics required for this insulation are defined by decree.
SAFETY
Machine regulations
Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 of June 14, 2023 [OJEU of June 29, 2023].
This text harmonizes the essential health and safety requirements applicable to machinery in the EU to ensure that safe machinery is placed on the market (EU declaration of conformity and CE marking, special measures for potentially dangerous machinery, conformity assessment, etc.).
Manufacturers of machinery or related products, or persons substantially modifying machinery or related products, must ensure compliance with the essential health and safety requirements relating to the design and construction of machinery or related products.
This regulation will replace the Machinery Directive from January 2027.
Reinforcement of arrangements for the protection of workers against the risks arising from ionizing radiation
Code du travail Articles R. 4451-1 à R. 4451-137 : Prévention des risques d'exposition aux rayonnements ionisants MODIFIE PAR le Décret n° 2023-489 du 21 juin 2023 relatif à la protection des travailleurs contre les risques dus aux rayonnements ionisants [JOFR du 22 juin 2023].
This decree draws the consequences of the changes made by Law no. 2021-1018 of August 2, 2021 to strengthen occupational health prevention (Occupational Health Law) and thus modifies the terms of protection for workers exposed to ionizing radiation.
Firstly, it adds definitions (operational dosimeter, industrial radiology equipment), specifies zone delimitation and dose constraint management procedures, and deals with the certification of companies working in yellow, orange and red controlled zones.
In addition, it requires specific training for doctors and health professionals responsible for the reinforced individual monitoring of workers exposed to ionizing radiation.
Obligation to report a fatal workplace accident to the labor inspectorate
Code du travail Articles R. 4121-1 à R. 4121-5 Obligations de l'employeur MODIFIE PAR le Décret n° 2023-452 du 9 juin 2023 relatif aux obligations incombant aux entreprises en matière d'accident de travail et d'affichage sur un chantier [JOFR du 11 juin 2023] (in French only)
When a worker is the victim of a fatal accident at work, the employer must inform the Labour Inspectorate competent for the place where the accident occurred immediately, and at the latest within 12 hours of the worker's death. If the employer can demonstrate that he was not aware of the death within 12 hours, this period runs from the moment he learns of the worker's death.