The Seveso directive is the generic name for a series of European directives that oblige the European Union Member States to identify industrial sites that pose a major accident risk, known as "SEVESO sites" and to maintain a high level of protection there.
This directive draws its name from the Seveso disaster which occurred in Italy in 1976 and which led European States to adopt a common policy for the prevention of major industrial risks.
Establishments that are subject to the provisions of the Law of 28 April 2017, are classified in two categories:
- Upper-tier establishments are required:
- to submit a safety notification and report to the competent authorities;
- to draw up a major-accident prevention policy;
- to draw up an Internal Emergency Plan (IEP), under the guidance of an accredited expert;
- to provide the competent authorities with the information required to enable them to draw up an External Emergency Plan (EEP).
- Lower-tier establishments are required:
- to submit a safety notification and report to the competent authorities;
- to draw up a major-accident prevention policy;
- to draw up an Internal Emergency Plan (IEP), under the guidance of an accredited expert.