5. Report on the application of the declaration with periodic inspection system

The periodic inspection of classified facilities has taken a long time to set up, and has been subject to a number of adjustments since its inception. Although it now seems to be well structured, we need to ask ourselves how effective it is.

As far as the actual performance of periodic inspections is concerned, the authorities have few means of ensuring that a given facility meets its obligations. The penalty provided for in Article R. 514-5 of the Environment Code seems to have little deterrent effect, given the figures available. Indeed, as early as 2013, the circular on national action themes for the inspection of classified facilities and the prevention of anthropogenic risks for 2013 (unpublished) already indicated, after only four years of implementation, that few periodic inspections were being carried out, including for newly declared facilities. 14,000...