1. Why an NHS?

The fact that a plant is classified as an "Installation Classée pour la Protection de l'Environnement" (ICPE), and is therefore required to comply with the French Environmental Code, does not exempt it from the requirements of the French Labor Code. It will be up to the NHS to demonstrate compliance with the latter.

The NHS is an integral part of the ICPE EAD file. The aim is to ensure that the measures taken will enable workers on a site (whether they are employees of the company or come from outside) to work in good hygienic conditions and in complete safety.

The first three chapters of an AED file deal with environmental protection issues. The corresponding regulations (Environmental Code) are independent of those concerning worker protection (Labor Code), which are more specifically covered by the NHS.

These...