News – Novallia https://groupe-novallia.com/en/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 22:42:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://groupe-novallia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/logonovallia-ico-150x150.png News – Novallia https://groupe-novallia.com/en/ 32 32 Senegal’s New Labor Code (Law No. 2026-18): What’s Changing for Businesses https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/senegals-new-labor-code-law-no-2026-18-whats-changing-for-businesses/ Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:25:18 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/senegals-new-labor-code-law-no-2026-18-whats-changing-for-businesses/

Senegal has a new Labor Code. Law No. 2026-18 of September 3, 2026, published in the Official Journal No. 7931 of September 17, 2026, repeals Law No. 97-17 of December 1, 1997. It applies automatically to existing contracts, with no transition period. The main changes concern the duration of fixed-term contracts, telework, harassment prevention, employee monitoring, maternity leave, and occupational risk assessment.
These new rules cannot be used to justify the termination of a current contract. The employee retains the benefits provided for in their contract when they are more favorable than those set forth in the Labor Code (Article 459).

The Main Changes at a Glance

Senegal's New Labor Code: Key Changes (Law No. 2026-18)
Topic 1997 Code Law No. 2026-18 Articles
Fixed-term contract Maximum of 2 years per contract, one renewal only Maximum of 2 years per contract, one renewal or one extension, maximum of 4 years total with the same employer 100 to 103
Telework No legal framework Prior consultation, written agreement, equal treatment with on-site employees 268–273
Harassment and Violence No specific measures Prohibition, prevention requirements, witness protection, criminal penalties Sections 17–21, 453, and 454
Maternity Leave 14 weeks 18 weeks, including 12 weeks after childbirth 277
Minimum Age for Employment 15 years old 16 years 281
Individual Disputes Mandatory preliminary conciliation Optional conciliation, direct access to the labor court 379 and 404

1. What is the maximum duration of a fixed-term employment contract in Senegal?

A fixed-term contract may not exceed two years and may be renewed or extended only once (Article 100). The total duration of fixed-term contracts between the same employee and the same employer is capped at four years. Beyond that, the employment relationship automatically becomes a permanent contract (Article 101).
Renewal and extension are governed by different rules. Renewal creates a new fixed-term contract, which must be documented in writing (Article 103). An extension requires an amendment to the contract and must be based on an objective reason: an extended replacement for an employee, a temporary increase in workload, or a delay due to an unforeseen event. It cannot last longer than the original contract (Article 102). In both cases, the employer must file the document with the labor inspectorate before the contract takes effect.
Several categories are exempt from reclassification as permanent contracts: casual and seasonal workers, dockworkers, employees hired to handle a temporary increase in workload or to replace an absent employee, and sectors where the practice excludes permanent contracts, the list of which will be established by administrative order. Companies exempted in special economic zones and those approved under the Investment Code may enter into multiple fixed-term contracts with the same employee for a period of five years from the date of their approval (Article 101).
A temporary worker is paid at the end of their assignment, which may not exceed six consecutive business days (Article 199). Also note: following a layoff for economic reasons, the employer may not fill the eliminated position with a fixed-term contract for six months, except for a non-renewable contract of no more than three months (Article 98).

2. How do you set up remote work?

Telework now has a legal framework (Articles 268 through 273).

Before implementing it for the first time, the employer must consult with employee representatives and the occupational safety and health committee regarding its organization, its effects on health and safety, and the eligible positions.

For each employee, telework is based on a written agreement, either in the employment contract or in an amendment thereto. In the event of an epidemic, pandemic, or force majeure, the employer may require telework without prior agreement or consultation to ensure business continuity. The employer must then notify the employee in writing.

A teleworker has the same working hours, the same rights, and the same compensation as a comparable employee working on-site. An accident that occurs at the teleworker’s telework location while performing work duties is presumed to be a work-related accident (Article 272).

A decree is still needed to clarify several points, including the coverage of business expenses and the protections related to the right to disconnect (Article 273).

3. Harassment and Violence: What Are the Employer’s Obligations?

All forms of violence and harassment in the workplace are prohibited (Article 17).

This protection covers employees, interns, apprentices, trainees, and job seekers, both at and outside the workplace, provided that the events are related to the employment relationship (Article 18).

The employer must take reasonable measures to prevent such conduct and put a stop to it as soon as it becomes aware of it (Section 19).

An employer may not take disciplinary action against a person who refuses to engage in such conduct, reports it, or testifies about it (Article 20).

Harassment or psychological abuse is punishable by a fine of 200,000 to 5 million CFA francs and imprisonment for one month to one year, or by either of these two penalties.

The same penalties apply to anyone who punishes a victim or a witness (Section 454).

Physical or sexual harassment and violence are covered by the Penal Code (Article 453).

Example. At a construction site in Diamniadio, a foreman regularly humiliates a young worker in front of his coworkers. A coworker reports the incident to management. The company must put an end to the situation immediately. It may not transfer or discipline the person who reported the incident for this reason.

In practice, the company needs a clear reporting procedure, up-to-date internal policies, and trained supervisors.

The Code also establishes a National Observatory on Discrimination, Violence, and Harassment in the Workplace (Article 58).

4. What monitoring tools can an employer use?

The Code regulates tools used to monitor employees: video surveillance, geolocation, ID badges, biometric devices, and access to documents, files, and mail. These tools may restrict employees’ rights only if justified by the task at hand and to an extent proportionate to the intended purpose (Article 24). Their implementation must also comply with the law on the protection of personal data.

Example. A petroleum products transport company equips its tanker trucks with GPS to track deliveries and ensure driver safety: this is justified. Tracking a driver’s personal cell phone over the weekend is not.

5. How long does maternity leave last?

Maternity leave is extended from 14 to 18 weeks, including 12 weeks after childbirth (Article 277). It may be extended by three weeks in the event of illness related to pregnancy or childbirth, complications during childbirth, a multiple pregnancy, or for the health of the child. During this leave, any termination of employment is null and void.

Upon her return to work, and for a period of 20 months, the mother is entitled to one hour of rest per day per infant for breastfeeding. This time is paid as working time (Article 280). During this period, the employer may not terminate her employment for any reason related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Absences for mandatory prenatal medical examinations are also paid (Article 276).

An employer may not use pregnancy as a basis for refusing to hire an employee, terminating an employment contract—even during the probationary period—or transferring an employee. A temporary reassignment is permitted for medical reasons, night work, or exposure to specific risks (Article 275).

6. What are the occupational health and safety requirements?

The Code recognizes every worker’s right to a safe and healthy workplace (Article 16). The employer assesses the risks associated with working conditions, organizational structure, production processes, equipment, chemical substances, and workstation design (Article 327). Depending on the size of the workforce or the nature of the risks, the employer must establish an occupational health and safety program or action plan and then implement it (Article 328).

The Code establishes a Higher Council for the Prevention of Occupational Risks, responsible for coordinating the national occupational safety and health policy (Article 56). The occupational safety and health committee is consulted, among other things, prior to the initial implementation of telework.

For industrial sites, construction sites, logistics operations, and mines, risk assessment thus falls within the scope of compliance, just like payroll and contracts.

7. Other Changes to Be Aware Of

Child labor:

The minimum age for employment is raised from 15 to 16, including for apprentices and interns. By administrative order, children between the ages of 13 and 15 may be authorized to perform light work (Article 281).

Individual Disputes:

Conciliation before the labor inspectorate becomes optional. Both the employee and the employer may file a claim directly with the labor court (Articles 379 and 404).

Labor Disputes:

If conciliation fails, the parties may resort to arbitration or mediation (Articles 440 and 446).

Social Dialogue:

The Code establishes a national tripartite body with equal representation to promote social dialogue and allows for the creation of social dialogue committees within industries and companies.

5 Steps to Take Right Now

  • Identify all current fixed-term contracts and verify their cumulative duration for each employee.
  • Draft or update a telework policy, after consulting with employee representatives and the occupational safety and health committee.
  • Establish a procedure for reporting harassment and update the internal rules and regulations.
  • Verify that each monitoring tool (cameras, GPS, ID badges, biometrics) is justified and proportionate.
  • Update the risk assessment and the health and safety action plan.

Frequently asked questions

Does the new Labor Code apply to contracts that have already been signed?

👉 Yes. It applies automatically to existing contracts, without requiring justification for their termination. More favorable contractual terms are maintained (Article 459).

How many fixed-term contracts can be entered into with the same employee?

👉 A fixed-term contract for a maximum of two years, renewable or extendable only once, up to a total of four years with the same employer. Beyond that, the contract becomes a permanent contract (Articles 100 and 101).

Can an employer require employees to work from home?

👉 Generally speaking, no: a written agreement with the employee is required. In the event of an epidemic, a pandemic, or force majeure, the employer may require it to ensure business continuity (Article 269).

How long is maternity leave in Senegal?

18 weeks, including 12 weeks after childbirth, with a possible extension of three weeks in certain cases (Section 277).

What are the penalties for workplace bullying?

👉 A fine of 200,000 to 5 million CFA francs and imprisonment for one month to one year, or either of these two penalties (Article 454).

How can you ensure compliance?

This new Code modernizes Senegalese labor law. Several implementing decrees are still pending, particularly regarding telework, occupational health and safety, and the operation of the new bodies. Companies would be wise to bring their contracts and practices into compliance immediately and then monitor the publication of these texts.

👉 Novallia assists companies in Senegal and West Africa with regulatory monitoring, compliance assessments, and updating their HSE and HR practices.

Contact our manager in Dakar, Mohamed Seydi; our experts are ready to conduct a compliance assessment under the new Labor Code.

Source:
Law No. 2026-18 of September 3, 2026, establishing the Labor Code, Official Journal of the Republic of Senegal No. 7931 of September 17, 2026.

]]> Machinery Regulation 2023/1230: What’s Changing in 2027 https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/machinery-regulation-2023-1230-whats-changing-in-2027/ Sat, 10 Oct 2026 10:25:10 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/machinery-regulation-2023-1230-whats-changing-in-2027/ Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery will replace the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC on January 20, 2027. It sets forth the health and safety requirements that must be met by machinery, related products, and partly completed machinery placed on the market in the European Union. As a regulation rather than a directive, it applies directly in France without the need for transposition.

You may have read that this text applies only to manufacturers, but in fact, it goes further than that. Indeed, a company that modifies its own machines may legally become the manufacturer of those machines.

With three months to go until the deadline, here’s what you need to know.

What are the key dates for the Machinery Regulation?

The regulation took effect in 2023, and most of its requirements do not apply until 2027.

Date Stage
June 29, 2023 Publication in the Official Journal of the EU
July 19, 2023 Effective Date
January 20, 2024 Application of the Rules on Notified Bodies
July 27, 2026 Entry into force of the AI Omnibus Act (Regulation 2026/1744)
October 20, 2026 Notification of the National Sanctions Regime to the Commission
January 20, 2027 Implementation of the Regulation; Repeal of Directive 2006/42/EC
No later than August 2, 2028 Implementation of AI requirements added by delegated acts

Machinery placed on the market in accordance with the directive before January 20, 2027, does not need to be reevaluated. The regulation applies to machinery placed on the market on or after that date and to subsequent modifications made to existing machinery.

Substantial Modification: When Do You Become a Manufacturer?

Article 18 of the regulation is the one that surprises industrial sites the most. Any person who makes a substantial modification to a machine is considered to be its manufacturer. It then sets forth all the requirements of Article 10: conformity assessment, technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity, and CE marking.

The regulation (Article 3, point 16) defines a substantial modification based on four criteria:

  1. it takes place after the product has been placed on the market or put into service;
  2. it is carried out using physical or digital means;
  3. it was neither intended nor planned by the manufacturer;
  4. it creates a new hazard or increases an existing risk to the point of requiring protective measures affecting the safety control system, or measures related to stability or structural strength.

Examples of such cases include adding a robot to a production line, linking two machines, modifying the safety zones of a laser scanner, or updating the software of a safety controller. Repair and maintenance operations that do not affect the machine’s compliance are not included.

The hardest part isn’t applying the definition; it’s figuring out who in your organization decides whether a change is substantial. At most sites, no one is assigned to handle this issue.

Cybersecurity: What Are the New Requirements for Machines?

For the first time, protection against malicious acts is becoming an essential requirement for machine safety. The 2006 directive did not address this issue.

Section 1.1.9 of Annex III requires that:

  • protect software, data, and communication components essential to security against corruption, whether accidental or intentional;
  • Identify the software required for the safe operation of the machine;
  • Keep a record of any changes—whether legitimate or not—made to this software or its configuration.

Section 1.2.1 requires that control systems be resistant to reasonably foreseeable malicious attempts by third parties.

These requirements align with the Cyber Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/2847), which governs digital components, and with the NIS 2 Directive, which your customers may incorporate into their specifications. The harmonized standard EN 50742, dedicated to protection against corruption, is currently being developed. In the meantime, the UNM recommends relying on ISO/TR 22100-4 and the IEC 62443 series.

Machines and Artificial Intelligence: What the Regulation Says

The regulation applies to systems with “fully or partially self-adaptive behavior” that use machine learning. When these systems perform a safety function, assessment by a notified body becomes mandatory (Annex I, Part A, points 5 and 6), even if the manufacturer applies harmonized standards. The regulation also prohibits any machine-generated changes to settings—including during the learning process—if such changes could create a hazardous situation.

The UNM guide published in 2025 provides a useful clarification: as of the date of its publication, no AI system was capable of performing a safety function validated according to recognized methods. AI that sorts parts or optimizes a path is considered a standard function. AI that retracts a blade when a hand approaches is considered a safety function.

What did the July 2026 AI Omnibus Act change?

Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 of July 8, 2026, establishes the Machinery Regulation as the single compliance framework for AI embedded in machinery. Prior to this amendment, a machine incorporating high-risk AI was subject to both the Machinery Regulation and the AI Act.

In practical terms:

  • Machines are no longer subject to the direct application of the AI Act; theregulations governing machines are transferred from Section A to Section B of Annex I of the AI Act.
  • The requirements of the AI Act will be incorporated into Annex III of the Machinery Regulation: data governance, documentation, human oversight, and risk and quality management. The Commission will adopt them through delegated acts, which will take effect no later than August 2, 2028.
  • Pending the adoption of machine-specific standards, compliance with the harmonized standards of the AI Act constitutes a presumption of conformity.
  • Existing evaluation procedures will remain in place. The presence of AI alone does not trigger the involvement of a notified body.

The date of January 20, 2027, and the cybersecurity requirements remain unchanged.

What about Switzerland?

The Machinery Ordinance (OMach) still refers to Directive 2006/42/EC. On September 19, 2025, the Federal Council launched a consultation on a complete revision of the ordinance in order to transpose the European regulation in an equivalent manner and to preserve the mutual recognition agreement with the EU. Swiss companies that export to the EU will be subject to the European regulation starting in January 2027.

How Novallia Supports You

Novallia assists industrial companies with regulatory compliance in France and Switzerland. With regard to the Machinery Directive, the nature of our support depends on your specific situation.

You use machines.

  • We are compiling a list of the changes that have been made or are planned for your fleet,
  • We define the resulting obligations

You manufacture machines.

We work with you to conduct a comprehensive assessment of your compliance:

  • classification of your machines in accordance with Annexes I and II (high-risk machines, safety components, AI);
  • review of your risk analysis in light of the new essential requirements;
  • Validation of your technical files, declarations of conformity, and instructions for use, including in digital format;
  • Identification of cases in which the involvement of a notified body becomes mandatory.

With NV Compliance, our regulatory monitoring and compliance platform, you’ll receive alerts about changes to the text—including future delegated acts on AI—and manage your compliance action plans.

Contact our experts

Frequently asked questions

When does Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery apply?

👉 January 20, 2027. It entered into force on July 19, 2023, and replaces Directive 2006/42/EC as of that date.

Do existing machines need to be recertified?

👉 No. Machinery placed on the market in accordance with the directive before January 20, 2027, does not need to be reevaluated, unless it undergoes a subsequent substantial modification.

Can a software update constitute a substantial modification?

👉 Yes. The regulation specifies that the modification may be physical or digital, provided it meets the other criteria set forth in Article 3, paragraph 16.

Is the AI Omnibus Act Delaying the Machine Learning Regulation?

👉 No. The date of January 20, 2027, remains unchanged. Only the AI requirements added by delegated acts will take effect later, no later than August 2, 2028.

Sources:
Regulation (EU) 2023/1230;
Regulation (EU) 2026/1744;
INRS, “New Machinery Regulation: What’s New?”;
UNM, Cybersecurity Guide for Machinery (2025) and Practical Guide on the Concept of AI (2025);
Federal Council, press release dated September 19, 2025.

]]> Fundraising for Novallia https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/fundraising-for-novallia/ Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:23:32 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/fundraising-for-novallia/ Latest News and Outlook for Novallia in the Second Half of 2026 – Fundraising on the Horizon

Novallia had a very strong first half of the year, doubling its order intake compared with the same period in 2025.
Of the four major bids in France, it won three, while its business in Switzerland, Morocco, and Tunisia is also experiencing very strong growth.

The second half of the year is expected to follow the same trend, with consolidated revenue projected to grow by 30 to 40 percent in 2026 and operating profitability exceeding 30 percent.
The Group has therefore decided to raise a significant amount of equity and debt capital during August and September.

Want to learn more?
You can get the detailed information you need at contact@groupe-novallia.com.

]]> Air Conditioning: A Breakdown of Costs, Impact, and Regulations https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/air-conditioning-its-cost-and-regulations/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:03:16 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/air-conditioning-its-cost-and-regulations/

Air Conditioning and Regulations: The True Cost of Air Conditioning!

Every heat wave reignites the debate over air conditioning. Indeed, behind the immediate relief provided by air conditioning lies a complex issue, an environmental cost, and regulations that are tightening on several fronts at once: climate, fluorinated gases, and, more recently, persistent pollutants. For companies that operate refrigeration or air conditioning equipment, beyond political or ideological considerations, the main challenge is compliance with new regulations.

Air conditioning remains a means of adaptation—and is sometimes vital for vulnerable people facing increasingly hot summers. It is certainly one solution, but we must weigh the trade-offs.

Some thoughts and a regulatory framework:

First paradox: Cooling the interior warms the immediate exterior

In fact, an air conditioner moves heat: it extracts it from a room and releases it outside, adding to it the heat generated by the electricity it consumes. So cooling the inside means heating the outside.

In a densely populated city, the effect is measurable and exacerbates the “urban heat island” phenomenon. During a heat wave in Paris, simulations by Météo France and the CNRS estimate that if all buildings used air conditioning to maintain a temperature of 23°C, the outdoor temperature could rise by an average of +2°C at night!

This sets off a vicious cycle: the heat released onto the street negates the nighttime cooling enjoyed by neighbors… who eventually install air conditioning themselves (not to mention the noise pollution). In short, the more we use air conditioning, the hotter it gets outside, and the more we use air conditioning. That’s why some people often describe the widespread use of air conditioning as a “false solution” in urban areas.

On a global scale, the heat directly emitted by air conditioners remains negligible: global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect, which traps solar energy—an amount of energy that is incomparably greater than the heat we produce. Air conditioning therefore impacts the global climate through two indirect channels: electricity and its carbon footprint, and the management of refrigerants.

An initial cost: electricity

An air conditioner consumes a lot of electricity. If that electricity comes from fossil fuels, it emits CO₂. In fact, the International Energy Agency ranks cooling among the leading drivers of growth in global electricity demand.

The cost of climate change varies by country.

The climate impact of a single air conditioner can vary from one to ten times depending on the type of electricity that powers it. Countries where demand for air conditioning is skyrocketing due to rising temperatures are often the ones with the most carbon-intensive power grids. For our target countries:

  • Switzerland: approximately 55–60% hydropower and about one-third nuclear power, making its electricity generation among the cleanest in the world, at ~20–33 gCO₂/kWh; however, the “at the outlet” figure (including gas imports) rises to around 90 g in dry years.
  • France: Approximately 65% of its electricity comes from nuclear power, supplemented by hydroelectric, wind, and solar power, resulting in ~22 gCO₂/kWh (generation, source: RTE 2024); it is one of the lowest-carbon power grids in the world.
  • Tunisia: ≈ 99% natural gas, or ~450–500 gCO₂/kWh; renewables account for about 3%, but Tunisia is aiming for 35% renewables by 2030.
  • Senegal: ≈ 74% fossil fuels, historically dominated by fuel oil, at ~500–600 gCO₂/kWh; a shift toward domestic natural gas is underway through the “gas-to-power” strategy ” strategy (the GTA field shared with Mauritania, first gas in late 2024, first LNG in February 2025), with solar and wind power on the rise (≈ 15% combined).
  • Morocco: coal ≈ 55%, supplemented by natural gas ≈ 10% (≈ 69% fossil fuels), resulting in the highest carbon intensity, ~600–700 gCO₂/kWh; However, wind power (≈ 21%) and solar power are growing rapidly.

Consequently, the environmental impact of installing an air conditioner varies from country to country, depending on how electricity is generated.

Note: It’s also important to know that in Switzerland, the installation of an air conditioner in a private home is subject to cantonal regulations!

Pollution and Climate: Refrigerants, Pollutants

Air conditioners contain refrigerant gases that, when they leak or are not properly recycled, escape into the atmosphere and prove to be far more harmful to the climate than CO₂. The scale of the problem is staggering: according to regulatory standards, a single kilogram of HFC-134a—long the standard refrigerant in automotive air conditioning—is equivalent to more than one metric ton of CO₂. That’s roughly the equivalent of several thousand kilometers driven in a diesel SUV. 🚙

Certain related substances (CFCs, HCFCs) also deplete the ozone layer. This has led to a three-tiered regulatory framework: the Montreal Protocol (1987, ozone), the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement (greenhouse effect), and the Kigali Amendment (2016), which calls for the phased-out global phase-down of HFCs.

Refrigerants 👉 at the intersection of several regulatory frameworks: national, European, and international.

Legislation governing these substances has been in place for a long time. Over the years, the use of these highly polluting fluids has been regulated by numerous regulations:

  • International agreements such as the 1987 Montreal Protocol (and its Kigali Amendment), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement (on greenhouse gases).
  • In Europe, the F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 calls for the phased-out of these fluids and sets standards for equipment containing them. Their transport by road, meanwhile, is governed by the ADR, the international agreement on the transport of dangerous goods.
  • Finally, at the national level, it is the Environmental Code—and specific regulations—that will implement these measures (depending on the country)

The traditional refrigerant used in air conditioners, R-410A (which has a global warming potential (GWP) of 2,088—more than 2,000 times that of CO₂), has been banned sinceJanuary 1, 2025, in air conditioners and heat pumpswith a charge of less than 3 kg, with phased-in deadlines extending through 2033 for other categories of equipment.

Substitutes fall into two categories:

  • Synthetic fluids with low GWP: transition solutions:
    • R-32 (GWP 675, which is one-third that of R-410A) and
    • R-454B (GWP 466), both of which are slightly flammable (Class A2L)
    • R-1234yf (GWP close to 4), which has become the standard for automotive air conditioning systems since the EU mandated that all new vehicles use a refrigerant with a GWP below 150 (MAC Directive 2006/40/EC, effective since 2017).
  • Natural Refrigerants: Sustainable Solutions:
    • propane (R-290, GWP 3),
    • CO₂ (R-744, GWP 1),
    • ammonia (R-717, GWP 0).
      • The trade-off: flammability, toxicity, or high pressure—which means very stringent safety and design requirements.

The regulatory path extends far beyond R-410A. The F-Gas Regulation calls for a 79% reduction in HFC consumption between 2015 and 2030, followed by their phase-out by 2050. In between, a schedule of bans will be implemented on a device-by-device basis: starting in 2029, split systems ≤ 12 kW with a PRP ≥ 150 will be banned in new installations; in other words, R-32 itself will be phased out of standard residential air conditioning. Today’s “transition” refrigerants are therefore already doomed in the medium term.

Regulatory Break: What Is the F-Gas Regulation?

The European F-Gas Regulation aims to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by phasing out fluorinated gases with high global warming potential (GWP). GWP is also known as PRG (Potentiel de Réchauffement Global) or GWP (Global Warming Potential). Its latest revision is in line with the European commitments arising from the Paris Agreement and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

In Europe, this reduction is scheduled according to a specific timeline, marked by various stages. Through a mechanism that sharply reduces annual quotas, this regulation facilitates the phased-out elimination of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), which emit greenhouse gases, and calls for their complete phase-out by 2050.

What, exactly, does the F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 propose? What are its objectives?

At the heart of the system is the European “F-Gas” Regulation. First published in 2006 and revised in 2014, it is now in its third version with Regulation (EU) 2024/573, published on February 20, 2024, and effective as of March 11, 2024 (it repeals Regulation 517/2014). As a European regulation, it applies directly, without the need for national transposition.

Two major new features.

Its scope is first being expanded to include HFOs (hydrofluoroolefins), which have not been regulated until now, and to new sectors (the medical sector, including inhalers, and the construction sector, including insulating foams).

It then reinforces all previous requirements: reducing the amount of HFCs placed on the market, preventing emissions, certification, equipment bans, recovery, combating the trafficking of illegal refrigerants, and monitoring imports and exports.

  1. Reduce the amounts of HFCs.

    HFCs may only be placed on the market under quotas, which are allocated through the Commission’s F-Gas portal. In fact, as of January 1, 2026, obtaining a quota is contingent upon the payment of a fee of 3 euros (excluding tax) per metric ton of CO₂ equivalent allocated (Article 17 of the regulation). Originally scheduled for 2025, its entry into force was postponed by one year. It applies to HFCs and HFC/HFO blends, but not to pure HFOs or reclaimed fluids, which are exempt from the quota system. All of these measures have one concrete consequence: refrigerants will become scarcer and more expensive.

  2. Containment and Leak Tests.

    Intentional degassing is prohibited. Owners and operators must prevent leaks, repair them immediately, and periodically check for leaks. The frequency depends on the charge (in metric tons of CO₂ equivalent for HFCs, in kilograms for HFOs) and the presence of a detection system: for example, every twelve months for a charge of 5 to 50 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent without a detector, and every twenty-four months with one. These inspections now apply to HFOs as well. Exemptions apply to hermetically sealed equipment below certain thresholds (less than 10 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent for HFCs, less than 2 kilograms for HFOs, and less than 3 kilograms for residential systems). After repairing a leak, a new inspection must be conducted within 24 hours to one month. The operator must maintain a log of all service calls.

  3. Labeling.

    The labeling requirements, which previously applied to HFCs, now cover all fluorinated gases listed in Annexes I through III (including HFOs). Equipment in which the refrigerant has been replaced must be relabeled. The label template is specified in Implementing Regulation 2024/2174, which has been in effect since January 1, 2025.

  4. Training and Certification.

    Installation, maintenance, repair, decommissioning, leak testing, and recovery must be performed by certified operators and technicians. Training programs now include alternative solutions, such as so-called “natural” refrigerants (ammonia, CO₂, propane), and energy efficiency. The new certificates of competence are valid for 7 years. Those issued before the regulation took effect remain valid, but a refresher course must be completed by March 12, 2029, at the latest, and then every 7 years thereafter.

  5. Marketing bans.

    Annex IV sets out a timeline by type of equipment. Regarding air conditioning: plug-in portable air conditioners containing HFCs with a GWP ≥ 150 have been banned since 2020; monoblock units and other stand-alone equipment with a GWP ≥ 150 will be banned as of January 1, 2027; air-to-air split systems ≤ 12 kW with a GWP ≥ 150 will be banned as of January 1, 2029. Exemptions are available for safety reasons.

  6. Maintenance and Recovery.

    The regulation restricts the use of certain refrigerants for the maintenance of existing equipment: Effective January 1, 2026, gases with a GWP ≥ 2,500 are prohibited for the maintenance of existing air conditioning systems and heat pumps, unless they are recycled or reclaimed, and this restriction applies only until 2032. Finally, the owner remains responsible for the recovery of refrigerants at the end of their service life, which must be entrusted to a certified professional for recycling, regeneration, or destruction.

The HFO Trap: The “Climate Solution” Becomes a PFAS Problem

This is the most significant consequence, and the one that raises a new compliance issue. HFOs (such as R-1234yf and R-1234ze), touted as the “climate-friendly” solution thanks to their near-zero GWP, pose another problem: they are PFAS substances. As they degrade in the atmosphere, they break down into TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), an ultra-short-chain PFAS—one of those “forever chemicals.”

The numbers speak for themselves. One study estimates that the switch from HFC-134a to its replacement, HFO-1234yf, could increase the amount of TFA formed globally by a factor of 33 and raise surface concentrations in Europe by up to 250 times, assuming equivalent emissions.

And this pollutant is found in water. A study by ANSES published on December 3, 2025, detected TFA in 92% of the 627 tap water samples analyzed. Regulations are following suit: in France, TFA will be included in drinking water quality standards as of January 1, 2027 (Decree No. 2025-1287). At the European level, a proposed REACH restriction backed by five countries since 2023 targets more than 10,000 PFAS and could, eventually, include certain HFC and HFO refrigerants.

PFAS in Water

We can no longer ignore this fact: synthetic fluids reduce the environmental impact but contribute to water (and air) pollution; natural refrigerants solve both problems, but at the cost of challenging technical constraints. The issue remains complex.

A clear regulatory path has been set.

For any organization that operates refrigeration or air conditioning systems—whether in the service, industrial, logistics, agri-food, or data center sectors—these developments translate into very specific requirements:

  • Plan ahead for the phase-out of high-GWP refrigerants: map your equipment fleet, identify systems using R-410A (and soon R-32), and factor the cost of transition into your investment plans—before regulatory requirements take effect and prices for quota-regulated refrigerants skyrocket.
  • Compliance with F-Gas regulations: periodic leak inspections, record-keeping, use of certified operators, and reporting of quantities.
  • Incorporating PFAS/TFA into monitoring efforts: an issue that intersects climate, water quality, and chemicals, with rapidly evolving French and European regulations.

Air Conditioning: An Illustration

Conclusion: Think Ahead

Air conditioning will remain a legitimate adaptation tool, especially when powered by carbon-free electricity and used to protect the most vulnerable. We must consider all these aspects to fully assess the overall cost of its use: locally, it contributes to urban heat island effects and has an environmental impact due to its electricity consumption (though carbon-free in some countries) and its refrigerants (for now). These same gases are now subject to three overlapping regulatory frameworks—climate, fluorinated gases, and persistent pollutants—which are becoming increasingly stringent in parallel.

It seems that the right approach hinges on three key factors: reducing demand at the source (sun protection, nighttime ventilation, thermal mass, green roofs), selecting the right equipment and fluids, and anticipating a regulatory framework that will continue to tighten. This is precisely where regulatory monitoring and compliance support make all the difference. This is precisely where  Proactive support and guidance in compliance make all the difference—please feel free to contact us Novallia!

 

 

For more information:
]]> ISO 14001:2026 developments and clarifications https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/iso-140012026-developments-and-clarifications/ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:31:00 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/iso-140012026-developments-and-clarifications/

ISO 14001:2026 - what the new version means for HSE managers and how NV Compliance can support you

The ISO 14001 standard has evolved for the first time in eleven years.

Published on April 15, 2026 by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 14001:2026 is the fourth edition of the benchmark standard for environmental management systems. It replaces both the 2015 version and its February 2024 climate amendment. The transition period is set at three years: ISO 14001:2015 certifications will remain valid until April 2029.

This is not a revolution: ISO 14001:2026 retains the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) structure and fundamentals of 2015, but reinforces them on points which, for an HSE or QHSE manager, have very concrete implications.

Five key developments!

1. Climate and biodiversity: more precision and explanation * Clause 4.1

The 2015 version already made it possible to integrate climate change as an environmental aspect, but the 2026 version goes further: it explicitly names

  • climate change,
  • loss of biodiversity,
  • pollution and
  • availability of natural resources

among the environmental conditions to be analyzed. These topics can no longer be treated as optional. The standard’s official bibliography confirms this orientation, with new references to ISO 17298 (biodiversity) and ISO 14090/14091 (climate adaptation).

2. A new requirement for change management

This is one of the most operational additions to this revision: clause 6.3 is entirely new. From now on, organizations must anticipate and manage internal changes likely to affect the results of their EMS: modification of an industrial process, introduction of a new product, reorganization, change of supplier, merger-acquisition.

The aim is to prevent poorly managed change from creating new non-conformities or degrading environmental performance.

4. Risks AND opportunities: a formalized concept *Article 3.2.10 + Clause 6.1.4

Version 2026 includes the term “risks and opportunities” in the official definitions (article 3.2.10), and devotes a dedicated sub-clause to it (6.1.4). The standard thus invites organizations not only to manage environmental risks, but also to actively identify the potential beneficial effects that the approach may generate: transition to a circular economy, partnerships, proactive adoption of emerging regulations.

5. The life-cycle perspective: more integrated, more demanding

Present in 2015, the life cycle perspective is considerably reinforced in version 2026. It now appears in several places in the standard. In concrete terms, the organization must take into account the environmental impacts of its activities at every phase: design, production, transport, use, end-of-life; and not just during its own operations. This means integrating environmental requirements into purchasing processes and communicating expectations to external suppliers.

6. More structured internal audits *Clause 9.2.2.a

Clause 9.2.2 introduces a new and precise requirement: for each internal audit, the organization must define the objectives, criteria and scope. This is no longer implicit, but documented and enforceable. This is a change that directly affects the audit program and the way organizations justify its design.

ISO 14001: 2026 and regulatory watch. An inseparable link

ISO 14001 – since 2015 and in all subsequent versions – places “compliance obligations” at the heart of the EMS approach. These obligations include not only laws and regulations, but also the organization’s voluntary commitments, contractual requirements or sectoral agreements.

What’s more, when it comes to climate change and biodiversity, which are explicitly mentioned as issues to be assessed, ISO 14001 requires us to keep a constant eye on the regulatory texts that arise from them: the Climate and Resilience Act, environmental reporting obligations, ICPE regulations, European transpositions of directives on biodiversity and water, and so on.

What the standard requires in terms of identifying and accessing compliance obligations (clause 6.1.3) presupposes active, structured and documented monitoring.

And that’s exactly what NV Compliance does: our regulatory and environmental watch and compliance service keeps a constant watch on the legislative landscape in selected areas, with targeted alerts depending on the applicability of texts and your specific obligations.

✅ Companies don’t need to manage a constantly evolving body of regulations on their own: we do it for them, alerting them to what directly concerns them.

Go further: manage your compliance with the standard in NV Compliance

In addition to regulatory monitoring, NV Compliance offers a particularly useful feature in the context of the transition to ISO 14001:2026: the ability to integrate the text of the standard into your compliance databases.

In concrete terms, this means that you can :

  • Assess your item-by-item compliance with ISO 14001:2026, using the same tools as for your regulatory obligations;
  • Assign responsibility for each standard requirement;
  • Monitor your action plans for compliance with version 2026 ;
  • Document your evidence and prepare for internal or certification audits;
  • Centralize your regulatory AND standards compliance in a single tool.

This integrated approach is also relevant during a transition period: it enables you to map your gaps with the new version, prioritize your efforts and demonstrate your progress to your management or external auditor.

Where to start?

Here are the recommended first steps to ensure a smooth transition from 2026 to 2029:

  1. Conduct a gap analysis between your current EMS and the new requirements.
  2. Integrate ISO 14001:2026 into your compliance management tool.
  3. Check that your regulatory watch covers the broader issues (climate, biodiversity, supply chain).
  4. Review your lifecycle approach: map your impacts beyond your own operations and formalize your environmental requirements vis-à-vis suppliers.
  5. Review your internal audit program to integrate the obligation to define objectives, criteria and scope for each audit.
  6. Make your management aware of the new leadership requirements, which have been extended to all relevant roles.

Would you like to find out more about how Novallia can support you in this transition? Contact our team →

]]> Regulatory deadlines year 2026 https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/regulatory-deadlines-year-2026/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:48:16 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/regulatory-deadlines-year-2026/

Regulatory deadlines 2026: prepare for compliance!

HEALTH & SAFETY

Important deadlines :

  • Passeport prévention :
    Précision des modalités de déclaration des formations en santé et sécurité au travail dans le passeport de prévention, par les organismes de formation et les employeurs. In particular, it sets out:
    – the training courses eligible for reporting,
    – the reporting deadlines,
    – the procedures for verifying and correcting data.
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Asbestos
  • Ionizing radiation
  • Laptop computers

ENVIRONMENT

The deadlines concern

  • ICPE regulations (incinerators in particular)
  • PFAS (prohibitions and measures)
  • WASTE & batteries
  • Packaging and packaging waste
  • Textile waste
This article is a summary only.
Receive the complete ebook on the regulatory deadlines
of the year 2026

ENERGY - CLIMATE

  • MACF (border carbon mechanism)
  • Energy efficiency
    Decree for commercial buildings
  • Solarization of buildings
  • Photovoltaic parking lots

CONSTRUCTION / TOWN PLANNING

  • RE 2020 – extended scope

TRANSPORT

  • Euro 7 standard – vehicle emissions

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

  • Occupational exposure limit values
  • Microplastics – REACH reporting
  • Endocrine disrupters – CLP
  • VLEP diesel emissions
Download the full ebook here
]]> Regulatory or legal watch and compliance https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/regulatory-or-legal-watch-and-compliance/ Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:33:11 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/regulatory-or-legal-watch-and-compliance/ REGULATORY WATCH

How do you define regulatory watch?

Firstly, regulatory watch is an activity that consists in identifying, on a day-to-day basis, the legal texts applicable to an organization.
Secondly, it involves monitoring the evolution of these texts: new, amended or repealed texts.

Legislative production can be national, European or international. And the regulatory fields covered may be in the HSE field: Environment, Health & Safety, Energy, Food Safety, Transport, etc., but also other rights such as HR, Finance, Data Protection, Commercial, etc.

What do companies need in terms of regulatory intelligence?

Coping with regulatory pressure or anticipating change are often the challenges of setting up a structured regulatory watch.

The aim is to be informed in real time of regulatory changes specific to the company’s activity (and also in the event of a change in activity):

  • new applicable text,
  • modification of an existing text,
  • repeal of a text,
  • draft new text

CONFORMITY OR CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT

Mise en place d’une veille réglementaire automatique et centralisée puis évaluation de la conformité :

After monitoring, we define the process to be put in place to comply with these applicable legal requirements. This is called compliance.

The aim is to assess the conformity of installations, processes, infrastructures, etc. for each applicable requirement, and to rule on compliance.

The regulatory compliance audit is a tool for assessing a site’s compliance with the regulatory requirements applicable to it, as determined during the prior regulatory watch process.

The aim of a regulatory compliance audit is therefore to assess compliance or possible non-compliance with a requirement, and to propose corrective and improvement actions for the site concerned.

This assessment enables the company to better manage and steer all its activities in line with applicable regulatory requirements, and to be fully aware of its level of compliance with regulations, standards and Group requirements.

Companies’ compliance needs

Examine the Site’s compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
In the event of non-compliance, Sites must be able to demonstrate that they have credible Action Plans in place to deal with inspections by the authorities or in the event of an accident.

What’s the practical application?

Regulatory monitoring and compliance are sometimes used as the basis for an HSE strategy, or for ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 audits. These two processes are essential to a sound HSE strategy, especially for industrial companies.

Use cases of our NV Compliance tool for regulatory monitoring and compliance

Biopharma use cases

Use cases in

To find out more about regulatory watch?

Comment réussir sa veille réglementaire en 5 étapes?

Comment bien choisir son outil de veille réglementaire

]]> ISO 9001-2026: Expected developments https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/iso-9001-2026-expected-developments/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:37:13 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/iso-9001-2026-expected-developments/ Evolution of the ISO 9001:2015 standard towards ISO 9001:2026

1. What is ISO 9001: definition

ISO 9001 is an international quality management standard designed to ensure that products and services meet the requirements of customers and stakeholders, while adhering to management principles such as customer focus, leadership, people engagement, process management and continuous improvement. It establishes a framework for optimising organisation, ensuring compliance, enhancing customer satisfaction and promoting operational excellence.

The next revision of ISO 9001-2026, expected to be published in 2026 (probably in October), is progressing towards the final draft stage and is expected to have the same structure while offering modernisations.

Why these changes?

The previous version of ISO 9001 dates back to 2015.
Since 2015, many societal and social changes have taken place. For example:
In the digital sphere: data has become a major issue, as have cyber security and artificial intelligence.
New customer expectations: huge growth in e-commerce, increasing importance of social media and the customer experience designed as an omnichannel experience.
Climate and sustainability: these current issues and their consequences must also be integrated into corporate strategy and therefore into the ISO9001 standard.
Resilience to crises: implementing health and geopolitical risks and supply chain disruption issues.

2. Main changes expected for ISO 9001:2026

The changes in version 2026 are gradual but strategic, focusing on seven key areas:

  1. Integration of climate change.

    As in ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, climate risks and opportunities must now be integrated into the organisation’s strategy (clause 4.1). This revision is based on the 2024 amendments, which require organisations to take climate-related risks and opportunities into account in their strategic vision, thereby strengthening environmental responsibility within management systems in general.

  2. Strengthened leadership and quality culture.

    Article 5.1.1 specifies that managers must embody and promote ethics and a culture of quality at all levels. Leadership is no longer just responsible, but exemplary: it sets the tone and embodies the expected behaviours. A few examples are provided to managers to demonstrate their commitment.

  3. Quality policy and strategic alignment.

    Quality policy and strategic alignment.

  4. Optimised risk and opportunity management

    The reorganisation of clause 6.1 makes it easier to distinguish between risks and anticipate major opportunities for resilience. From 2026 onwards, the standard should explicitly separate the analysis of risks and opportunities in order to help organisations structure their approach, reporting and management in these two areas.

  5. Employee awareness and engagement

    Awareness requirements have been expanded; quality culture and ethics must be known, understood and practised in the field. According to clause 7.3, employees must adopt behaviours that promote quality and integrity at work.

  6. Technology: digitalisation, data and digital tool management.

    The standard recognises the importance of cybersecurity, software reliability and data management in measuring and controlling quality. These new requirements involve validating the digital tools used for quality management in order to guarantee the reliability and cybersecurity of processes.

  7. Sustainability and stakeholders

    The expansion of the ESG (environmental, social, governance) scope now requires the inclusion of specific environmental and social performance indicators in the quality strategy, facilitating cross-functional reporting with ISO 14001 and 45001 standards.

  8. Harmonisation and improved guidelines

    The addition of practical examples and improved compatibility with ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (safety) standards simplify system integration.

3. What steps should be taken to prepare for this?

  • Conduct a gap analysis in relation to the new requirements.
  • Update the quality documentation and review the documentation scheme.
  • Train teams, particularly senior management and managers, in quality culture, ethics and resilience.
  • Adapt supply chain and supplier management to anticipate disruptions.
  • Strengthen the validation of digital tools (software, AI) used to manage quality.
  • Integrate customer satisfaction and feedback loops into QMS management.

4. What are the risks and opportunities associated with this update to the ISO 9001 standard?

Opportunity for improvement of the ISO 9001 standard :

  • The standard proposes a sustainable, modern quality system that is connected to current issues.
  • Concern for strategic alignment with the expectations of customers and stakeholders.
  • More visible leadership, a culture of quality and ethics valued.
  • Increased resilience to supply chain risks.
  • Facilitated synergy with ISO 14001/45001 for multi-system organisations.

Risks or negative points:

  • Transition costs (process updates, training, gap analysis).
  • Transition costs (process updates, training, gap analysis).
  • Concepts that are sometimes abstract or difficult to implement in practice (quality culture, climate context).

In conclusion: why and how should you prepare for the changes to the ISO 9001 standard and maintain your certification? Here are a few tips 👇

The new ISO 9001:2026 version is not a complete overhaul of ISO 9001:2015. It builds on the latter and develops it further by incorporating current issues such as technological change and climate and societal challenges.

The revision aims to update the standard so that it remains relevant to technological changes, new customer expectations, and climate and societal issues. After official publication in September 2026, organisations will have three years to migrate to the requirements of the new standard, with the 2015 version remaining valid until 2029.

Key steps to prepare effectively:

  • Update the analysis of the context, particularly climate and ESG.
  • Review how management promotes a culture of quality.
  • Modernise the management of data, tools and technological biases.
  • Boost customer and stakeholder engagement, strengthen risk planning and resilience.
  • Follow the resources, guides, and transition training offered by certification bodies.

In conclusion: ISO 9001:2026 modernises quality by strengthening customer culture, ethics, resilience and digitalisation. The key is proactivity – engaging management, raising staff awareness and consolidating the value of the QMS in the service of customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.

Novallia supports you in understanding the new challenges posed by the standard and, thanks to its network of partners, will accompany you through the transition to 2026. Contact us!

]]> Regulatory deadlines 2026 https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/regulatory-deadlines-2026/ Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:22:55 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/regulatory-deadlines-2026/

Regulatory deadline end 2025 - 2026: what can we expect?

SAFETY

Occupational health service: updating documents

A decree dated March 3, 2025, has amended the rules governing medical check-ups and workstation adjustments set out in the decree dated October 16, 2017.
It updates the official models issued by occupational health service health professionals, in particular fitness and unfitness notices and individual health monitoring certificates.

These documents are issued at the end of examinations and visits carried out as part of the individual health monitoring of workers covered by Part Four of the French Labor Code.

These new models will come into force on 01/07/2025.

Order of March 3, 2025 amending the order of October 16, 2017 setting the model for the notice of aptitude, the notice of unfitness, the certificate of individual monitoring of the state of health and the proposal for measures to adapt the position

Decree of October 16, 2017 setting the model of notice of aptitude, notice of unfitness, certificate of individual monitoring of the state of health and proposal of measures, adaptation of position

Electrical installations and mobile and lifting equipment: new rules on medical certificates

As of October 1, 2025, workers requiring driving authorization or electrical clearance will no longer be subject to reinforced individual monitoring by the occupational health department. [read more in the ebook]

Decree no. 2025-355 of April 18, 2025 relating to individual monitoring of workers’ health, as well as to driving authorizations and authorizations to carry out certain operations provided for in articles R. 4323-56 and R. 4544-9 of the French Labor Code.

ENVIRONMENT

Transport: New emission standards for light and heavy vehicles

Two texts published in August 2021 introduce reinforced requirements to reduce polluting emissions in the transport sector.

The first, a decree dated July 29, 2021, bans from October 1, 2025, the circulation in France of heavy goods vehicles over 40 tons registered before October 1, 2009 or equipped with a Euro 5 standard engine.
Only vehicles with a Euro 6 engine (or higher standard) or registered after January 1, 2014 will be authorized to circulate.

[continued in ebook]

Order of July 29, 2021 amending the order of December 4, 2012, as amended, relating to the authorized total rolling weight of land motor vehicles.

Act no. 2021-1104 of August 22, 2021 to combat climate change and strengthen resilience to its effects (1)

Waste: WEEE, AGEC law, EPR

A. Ecodesign: stricter standards for electronics and household appliances in Europe

The European Commission has adopted two regulations aimed at smartphones and tablets: [find out more in the ebook 👇 ]

Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 establishing ecodesign requirements for smartphones, cell phones other than smartphones, cordless phones and tablets

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 of June 16, 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards energy labelling of smartphones and tablets

B. Batteries: Setting up an EPR system

A decree dated December 27, 2024 adapts the legal framework of the EPR system for batteries. These provisions will come into force on August 18, 2025.
This development follows the European regulation on batteries published in July 2023.

Receive the complete ebook on the regulatory deadlines
for the second half of 2025 and 2026

Deforestation: EU imposes strict controls on 7 key products

Certain agricultural and forestry products, notably coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soy, cattle, rubber and wood, are directly involved in global deforestation. To combat this phenomenon, the European Union adopted a regulation on deforestation and forest degradation on June 9, 2023. Its aim: to reduce the environmental impact of products placed on the market or exported from the EU.

Three mandatory compliance criteria:
All products derived from these raw materials must meet three key requirements to be marketed in the EU.

These three criteria give rise to a number of obligations for the operators and retailers concerned: [more in the ebook].

📅 Effective dates: 🚀 December 31, 2025 or June 30, 2026

ICPE: New obligations to be implemented

1 – Arrêté du 4 octobre 2010 relatif à la prévention des risques accidentels au sein des installations classées pour la protection de l’environnement soumises à autorisation (Order of October 4, 2010 on the prevention of accidental risks in facilities subject to environmental protection authorization)

Risk protection obligations to be implemented by January 1, 2026.

Arrêté du 4 octobre 2010 relatif à la prévention des risques accidentels au sein des installations classées pour la protection de l’environnement soumises à autorisation (Order of October 4, 2010 on the prevention of accidental risks in facilities subject to environmental protection authorization)

2 – Fire detection

As of January 1, 2026, operators of headings 2711, 2712, 2713, 2714, 2716, 2718, 2790 and 2791 must have installed an automatic fire detection system and a system of regular rounds in areas likely to contain combustible or flammable waste.

3 – Battery storage

As of January1, 2026, the […]

4 – Post-Lubrizol

Following the major fire at Lubrizol in 2019, an order dated September 24, 2020 strengthened the framework for ICPEs with flammable liquids.

[…]

From January 1, 2026, new obligations will apply to these ICPEs. They concern the installation of fire retention systems, the upgrading of retention capacities and the storage of flammable liquids.

Arrêté du 24 septembre 2020 relatif au stockage en récipients mobiles de liquides inflammables, exploités au sein d’une installation classée pour la protection de l’environnement soumise à autorisation (Decree of September 24, 2020 on the storage of flammable liquids in mobile containers, operated within a facility classified for environmental protection subject to authorization).

ENERGY

Hydrocarbon producers: A “net zero” plan required by the EU

Regulation 2024/1735 of June 13, 2024 establishes a framework for increasing European production of “net zero” technologies.

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

👉 REACH: New restrictions on microplastics expected

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 of September 25, 2023

Deadline: October 17, 2025!

New VLEP: Update for several chemical agents

Decree no. 2024-307 of April 4, 2024 amends the table in Article R. 4412-149 of the French Labor Code, updating the binding occupational exposure limit values (OELVs) for several chemical agents.
New TLVs have been set for nickel compounds(applicable from January 18, 2025), and for acrylonitrile(applicable from April 5, 2026).

Labor Code, article R. 4412-149, as last amended by Decree no. 2024-307 of April 4, 2024

Download the full ebook here
]]> Our 2024 results – A flamboyant year https://groupe-novallia.com/en/blog/our-2024-results-a-flamboyant-year/ Tue, 27 May 2025 08:48:02 +0000 https://groupe-novallia.com/blog/our-2024-results-a-flamboyant-year/ Novallia 2024: a very good year

The Annual General Meeting of Novallia (Holding), the Group’s parent company, took place on May 23, 2025 in Neuchâtel (CH), under the chairmanship of Patrice Gabus, President & CEO.

After two financial years, 2022 and 2023, marked by stable sales figures but significant losses due to the computer attack in June 2022, financial year 2024 saw sales growth of 67.5% and an EBITDA (operating profit) margin of over 30%. Net income after tax, Group share, exceeded 10%.

Patrice Gabus, the Group’s majority shareholder, expressed his thanks:

  • To our teams, who have shown extraordinary resilience and energy over the past three years. In just 4 months, they managed to reinvent an Application, rebuild databases and complete documentation that had been destroyed during the blackout.
  • To our customers, 98% of whom have remained loyal to Novallia
  • To the shareholders and its investment fund Sopromec, who remained patient and constructive.

The General Meeting also elected 2 new directors, Laura Perret and Raphael Leveau, and appointed Fiduciaire Muller Christe & Associés as Auditors, in the person of Sébastien Charpié.

Fiscal 2025 once again looks promising, with sales growth of 32.5% in Q1 2025. The Board of Directors expects sales growth of 25% and an EBITDA margin of at least 20%.

]]>