Existing lifts

France's elevator fleet is one of the oldest in Europe: in the early 2000s, 60% of elevators in service in our country were installed before 1980. In 2019, of the 560,000 elevators in service, half are over 25 years old, and a quarter over 40. Some of these elevators' components have exceeded the reasonable life expectancy (20 to 25 years).

However, although these older elevators are regularly maintained, their equipment, technology and level of safety had remained at the same level as when they were installed, as regulations do not apply retroactively (except for the installation of cabin doors in "smooth wall" elevators, and certain safety equipment on elevators located in premises subject to the Labor Code).

At the same time, changes in our society have led to elevators being used in different ways, with greater and more diverse needs, and more stringent safety requirements.

Over time, the safety level of a large number of elevators had therefore fallen far short of today's requirements, and the voluntary modernization requested by owners at the time was only carried out on around 2% of the fleet each year.

This situation, illustrated by fatal accidents involving young children in 2001 and 2002 which raised public awareness, led the legislator in 2003 to introduce new obligations to improve elevator safety in France, and in particular to make elevator safety work mandatory within a maximum period of fifteen years. This deadline has been extended twice for the second and third stages by two decrees (ultimately for July 3, 2018, with a change in the scope of the work to be carried out).

For details of the new regulations and the definition of the elevators concerned, see [C 3 710].