What is an ICPE classified site ?
The French Environment Code considers that an ICPE (Installation Classified for the Protection of the Environment) classified site is an installation owned by a natural person or legal entity, whether public or private, of which the activity leads to possible nuisances or significant risks of pollution covering :
- The protection of nature and the environment
- Public health
- The protection of sites and monuments
- Agriculture
- Neighbourhoords
Applicable ICPE regulations
An ICPE nomenclature lists the activities subject to the applicable ICPE regulations. The categories are defined depending on :
- The use or storage of specific substances such as hazardous materials or products that are toxic to the environment,
- The type of activity, such as agri-food, timber, waste, etc.
In order to reduce the risks and impact of these installations, the legislation has defined a regulatory framework for the procedures to follow and how ICPE classified sites should be managed.
For commissioning, ICPE regulations impose :
- A declaration to the “préfecture” for the least polluting and hazardous activities
- An authorisation from the Prefect for each ICPE site that has serious environmental risks or nuisances,
- Registration at the town hall when the risk is controlled (operators must prove their compliance with the technical risk and nuisance prevention measures).
