Installations classed for environmental protection (ICPE)

Under Napoleon 1 ^er , the imperial decree of October 15, 1810 introduced the first organization for factories and workshops that emitted unhealthy and unpleasant odors. Establishments were divided into classes:

• class 1: establishments that must be kept away from residential areas (e.g. sludge and refuse dumps);

• class 2: establishments for which distance from houses is not necessary, but for which it is important to ensure that operations are carried out in such a way as not to inconvenience or cause damage to neighboring owners;

• class 3: establishments that can be kept in close proximity to dwellings, but must be subject to police surveillance.

...