France conducts national inspections of waste sorting centers over fire risks

The French Ministry of Ecological Transition has released the results of a national inspection targeting waste sorting, transit, and grouping centers to mitigate fire risks. Between September 7 and 11, 2026, authorities conducted unannounced inspections at 1,245 sites across the country.

The inspection follows data showing that the waste sector accounts for nearly a quarter of all accidents in facilities classified for environmental protection, totaling approximately 1,500 events since early 2022. Fire is the most frequent type of accident in these facilities, often caused by dry materials meeting sparks from improperly discarded items, such as crushed batteries.

Following the inspections, 109 proposals for formal notices to comply with regulations were issued. These are not immediate sanctions but recommendations for operators to bring their facilities into compliance within a set timeframe. In the Normandy region, 81 inspections were conducted, though only one or two procedures resulted in formal notices.