The operator
The operator is the contact point of the Inspectorate. The operator is solely responsible for his installation.
Decentralised administrations
These administrations are consulted during the permit application examination :
- Direction Régionale de l’Environnement (DIREN - Regional Directorate for the Environment) : site protection, impact assessment, water…
- Direction Départementale de l’Agriculture et de la Forêt (DDAF - Departmental Directorate for Agriculture and Forestry) : protection of water, natural environment, wetlands…
- Direction Départementale de l’Equipement (DDE - Departmental Directorate for Equipment) : urban development, building permit, municipal watercourses…
- Direction Départementale des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales (DDASS - Departmental Directorate for Health and Social Affairs) : consultation within the framework of the departmental health regulations (RSD), water quality, noise…
- Direction Régionale du Travail de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle (DRTEFP - Regional Directorate for Labour, Employment and Vocational Training) : labour inspection services
Departmental Councils for the Environment and Health and Technological Risks (CODERST)
Formerly departmental councils for hygiene and employment, CODERSTs bring together administrations as well as external individuals (departmental councillors, mayors, persons appointed due to their competence – doctors for example – representatives of the professional sector etc.) under the authority of the prefect or his representative. They contribute to the creation, implementation and follow-up, within the department, of public policies in the domains of environmental protection, sustainable management of natural resources and prevention of technological risks. This council is in charge of issuing opinions on draft regulations and individual acts in terms of classified installations. It makes it possible to get opinions outside the administration and initiate dialogue on the project under consideration. The prefect is not bound by the opinion issued (unless provided for by article 13 of the decree of 21 September 1977).
Local authorities
They play a role within the framework of the permit process (for example displays and representatives in appropriate advisory commissions) as well as with regard to urban development control (drafting of the local urban development plan, building permit…).
In addition, the mayor can call a public meeting for “AS” classified installation projects, i.e. subject to public easements (law of 30 July 2003 relative to the prevention of technological and natural risks and compensation for damages).
Public facilities
There are two categories of public facilities
- public facilities such as water agencies or the Agency for Environment and Energy Management (ADEME). They do not police classified installations. These authorities have significant expertise and their main purpose with regard to classified installations is to provide them with financial aid for pollution abatement.
- public facilities such as the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - Geological and mining research Bureau), the Institut National de l’Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS - National Institute for the industrial environment and risks), the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN - Institute for radiation protection and nuclear safety), the Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA - French Food Safety Agency) or the Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSET - French agency for environmental and occupational health safety) have significant expertise in their scope of activities.
General public and associations
Associations, which represent the population, are essential partners of the administration in the environmental domain. In this respect, they are represented in administrative commissions and the law has provided them with the possibility of bringing legal action before administrative as well as criminal courts.
The Inspectorate is making its actions more transparent by increasing provision of information to the public.
The public Prosecutor :
He decides whether or not to act upon Inspectorate reports.
High Council for Classified Installations(CSIC)
The High Council for Classified Installations was created in 1976 to examine all the questions relative to classified installations. The composition and functioning of the High Council for Classified Installations were fixed in decree n° 76-1323 of 29 december 1976 taken in application of the law of 19 december 1976 (integrated into articles D. 511-1 to D. 511-8 of the Environmental Code). After 30 years, the composition of the Council was modified (decree n° 2007-674 of 2 may 2007).
Minutes of CSIC meetings (in French)