Waste audit: reminder of upcoming changes for January 1, 2022

Waste audit requirements are changing as of January 1, 2022, with an expanded scope covering significant renovations and new reporting obligations to the CSTB.

Angie Curty-Menez
Consultante HSE
Publication : 
08.12.2021
Table of Contents
Example H2
Request a demo

Please note: This article concerns French legislation. The requirements described may not apply in other countries.

‍

As a reminder, Article R. 126-10 of the Construction and Housing Code (CCH) requires project owners to conduct a preliminary audit regarding the management of products, equipment, materials, and waste generated by the demolition of certain buildings and significant renovation projects.

Last June, Decree No. 2021-821 of June 25, 2021, expanded the scope of the waste audit, as follows:

  • By applying the previous compliance thresholds cumulatively to all operations carried out on buildings (rather than individually per building),
  • By newly including significant renovations of certain buildings (and no longer just demolitions).

It should also be noted that, as of January 1, 2022, project owners must submit audit reports and completion forms to the Scientific and Technical Center for Building (CSTB) according to the following procedures:

  • For the waste audit, prior to the acceptance of quotes or the awarding of contracts for demolition or significant renovation work;
  • For the completion form, within ninety days following the completion of the demolition or significant renovation work.

The changes introduced by the two decrees apply to demolitions and significant building renovations for which the date of filing the demolition permit application, the date of filing the planning permission, and the date of filing the work authorization (or, failing that, the date of acceptance of quotes or awarding of contracts for demolition or significant renovation work) is after January 1, 2022.

(*) A significant building renovation is defined as an operation consisting of destroying or replacing at least two of the following interior finishing elements, provided that the work involves destroying or replacing a majority portion of each of these elements:

  • Floors that do not determine the strength or rigidity of the structure;
  • Exterior partitions that do not determine the strength or rigidity of the structure;
  • Exterior frames and windows;
  • Interior partitions;
  • Sanitary and plumbing installations;
  • Electrical installations;
  • Heating system.

‍

‍

Photo credit: Marek Studzinski