Modification of classified installations for environmental protection (ICPE) and of installations, structures, works and activities (IOTA)
Verified 05 March 2026 - Entreprendre Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
All change brought to a facilities classified for environmental protection (ICPE) or to facilities, structures, works and activities (IOTA), in particular its mode of use, must be declared to the prefect by the operator.
ICPE
The modifications are not the same according to the regime of the installation classified for the protection of the environment (ICPE).
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Declaration
There are 2 types of modifications, depending on the importance they have on the project:
- Substantial changes, the most important
- Notable changes, the others.
Example :
- Changes to headings
- Changes in operating conditions (modification of raw material, equipment, energy supply system, impacts on water, air, waste, etc.), operating hours, etc.)
- Modification of the building (construction, extension or destruction of a building, addition of a roof, opening in a wall, etc.)
Substantive changes
Any substantial modification and any displacement of the activity require a renewal of the declaration. This renewal shall be subject to the same formalities as the initial declaration.
This applies whether the modification takes place before the project is carried out or during its implementation or operation.
A change substantial an ICPE is an amendment that:
- Or meet quantitative thresholds and criteria set by order of the Minister responsible for the environment (the order depends on the category of the installation in the bill of materials)
- or is likely to cause significant hazards and inconveniences, in particular to the environment, health or public safety.
Notable changes
Amendments that are not substantial are significant amendments. Any significant modification (modification of the industrial process, change in the nature of the waste generated, new risks or impacts identified, etc.) must be notified to the prefect.
Renewal of declaration and registration in case of substantial change
Definition substantial and significant change to a reportable ICPE
Recording
There are 2 types of modifications, depending on the importance they have on the project:
- Substantial changes, the most important
- Notable changes, the others.
Example :
- Changes to headings
- Changes in operating conditions (modification of raw material, equipment, energy supply system, impacts on water, air, waste, etc.), operating hours, etc.)
- Modification of the building (construction, extension or destruction of a building, addition of a roof, opening in a wall, etc.)
Substantive changes
An amendment shall be considered to be substantial where it fulfills one of the following conditions:
- a meets quantitative thresholds and criteria set by order of the minister responsible for the environment (the shutdown depends on the installation topic in the bill of materials)
- is of likely to cause significant hazards and inconveniences, in particular for the environment, health or public safety.
Notable changes
Amendments that are not substantial are significant amendments.
Any changes that may be significant must be notified to the prefect with all the associated justifications.
Renewal of declaration and registration in case of substantial change
Notification to the Prefect of a significant change to an ICPE subject to registration
Environmental Authorization
There are 2 types of modifications, depending on the importance they have on the project:
- Substantial changes, the most important
- Notable changes, the others.
Example :
- Changes to headings
- Changes in operating conditions (modification of raw material, equipment, energy supply system, impacts on water, air, waste, etc.), operating hours, etc.)
- Modification of the building (construction, extension or destruction of a building, addition of a roof, opening in a wall, etc.)
Substantive changes
An amendment shall be considered to be substantial where it fulfills one of the following conditions:
- constitutes an extension of the ICPE to undergo a new environmental assessment
- have met quantitative thresholds and criteria set by order of the Minister for the Environment
- is likely to cause significant hazards and inconveniences, in particular to the environment, health or public safety.
Notable changes
A change notable an ICPE subject to authorization is an amendment that is not substantial.
Any changes that may be significant must be notified to the prefect with all the associated justifications.
Definition substantial and significant changes - Environmental Authorization
Conditions substantial and significant changes - Environmental Authorization
Any changes that may be significant must be brought to the attention of the prefect with all the associated justifications.
After examining the file, the inspectorate of classified installations may propose to the prefect one of the following options:
- If the requested amendment is considered significant and substantial : a new environmental authorization, registration or declaration procedure will then have to be initiated, as if it were an initial application.
- If the change is considered significant and not substantial : a complementary prefectural decree will be proposed to the prefect in order to frame the modifications by new prescriptions.
- If the change is deemed to be non-material and non-substantial : the amendment envisaged by a supplementary prefectural decree or by a prefectural letter may be noted.
Please note
Depending on the nature of the requested amendment, it may be necessary to review the file on a case-by-case basis or to undergo procedures linked to the city planning code.
In order to determine whether the project should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, consult the nomenclature of projects subject to review by case.
If concerned, the a request for a case-by-case review must be made prior to the filing of the amendment file.
Depending on the nature of the project, the constitution of the file can be complex. It is recommended to use a specialized design office.
Thematic tools to assist in the design of dossiers are available below.
The file templates referred to in the teleprocedure are also available below:
- Warrant of deposit : This document is necessary when a design office makes the application on behalf of the future operator
- Plots: For land projects, if the list of parcels is filed via a file instead of the online table
- Geographical references : For maritime or river projects, if the information is provided via a file instead of the online table
Change in the administrative situation (heading and scheme)
In the event of a change in the administrative situation relating to the heading and/or scheme of a ICPE or a IOTA, handsheets shall be made available to assist the operator in compiling the modification file.
- Note of 20 December 2021 on the examination of amendments to the ICPE
Note of 20 December 2021 on the examination of amendments to the ICPE
National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risk (Ineris)
Pour en savoir plus
- Flowchart for evaluating the choice of procedure
- Flowchart for assessing the substantive nature of the proposed changes to the administrative situation
Flowchart for assessing the substantive nature of the proposed changes to the administrative situation
Ministry for the Environment
Pour en savoir plus
- Excel file assessing the substantial nature of the proposed changes to the administrative situation
Excel file assessing the substantial nature of the proposed changes to the administrative situation
Ministry for the Environment
Pour en savoir plus
The procedure to be followed depends on the regime:
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Declaration
The statement of substantial and significant change must be sent to the instructing department via the online service (situation ‘Initial declaration’):
Online declaration of a facility classified for environmental protection (ICPE)
For your assistance and information, you will find the following form: cerfa no. 15272.
Please note
In case of doubt, the operator can carry out the procedure provided for the significant modifications. The prefect will inform him of the procedure to follow if he considers that the modification is substantial.
Registration or environmental authorization
Change records can be filed in one of the following ways:
- Either by using the teleprocedure MAIOT: titleContent
Make a change to an ICPE or IOTA (MAIOT)
- Either by mail addressed to the instructor service.
Metropolitan France (including Corsica)
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Departmental Directorate for Employment, Labor, Solidarity and Population Protection (DDETSPP):
Other ICPEs
Île-de-France
The service to be contacted is the regional and interdepartmental directorate for the environment, planning and transport (DRIEAT):
Other regions
The service to be contacted is the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing (DREAL):
Guadeloupe
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DAAF):
Other ICPEs
The service to be contacted is the Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (DEAL):
Martinique
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DAAF):
Other ICPEs
The service to be contacted is the Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (DEAL):
The Meeting
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DAAF):
Other ICPEs
The service to be contacted is the Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (DEAL):
Mayotte
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DAAF):
Other ICPEs
The service to be contacted is the Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (DEAL):
French Guiana
The service to be contacted is the General Directorate for Territories and the Sea (DGTM) of Guyana.
Who shall I contact
In any case, it is strongly advised to get closer to the instructor service before the procedure.
Warning
The the following applications may not be submitted on the teleprocedure MAIOT: titleContent :
- Change of operator
- Transfer of authorization
- Declaration of grandfathering or entitlement to acquired rights
- Updating the state of soil pollution at each significant change in the operating conditions of certain farms (carbon dioxide geological storage sites, ICPEs Seveso high threshold, quarries, waste storage facilities). This statement is transmitted by the operator to the prefect, the mayor of the commune concerned or the president of theEPCI: titleContentand the owner of the land on which the installation is located
- Total cessation of activity.
They must be sent directly to the instructor service (prefecture or town hall) by mail.
Metropolitan France (including Corsica)
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Departmental Directorate for Employment, Labor, Solidarity and Population Protection (DDETSPP):
Other ICPEs
Île-de-France
The service to be contacted is the regional and interdepartmental directorate for the environment, planning and transport (DRIEAT):
Other regions
The service to be contacted is the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing (DREAL):
Guadeloupe
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DAAF):
Other ICPEs
The service to be contacted is the Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (DEAL):
Martinique
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DAAF):
Other ICPEs
The service to be contacted is the Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (DEAL):
The Meeting
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DAAF):
Other ICPEs
The service to be contacted is the Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (DEAL):
Mayotte
ICPE agricultural or agri-food sector
The service to be contacted is the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DAAF):
Other ICPEs
The service to be contacted is the Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (DEAL):
French Guiana
The service to be contacted is the General Directorate for Territories and the Sea (DGTM) of Guyana.
Who shall I contact
The regulations do not provide for a time limit for instructing the instructing service.
For installations classified for environmental protection (ICPE) subject to the declaration, the file is always submitted via the ICPE reporting teleprocedure
FYI
Implementing changes without waiting for the instructor service to return exposes you to the risk of having to do additional work, or even having to return to the original state, before changes
Proof of filing depends on the manner in which the amendment record was filed.
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File submitted via the teleprocedure
One proof of deposit summarizing all the information entered is automatically issued to the project holder.
In case of insufficient elements to carry out its examination, the instructing service may invite the applicant to complete or regularize it within a reasonable period of time to be fixed by the Council.
Depending on the nature of the file, it may be subject to public consultation.
The decision may take the form of:
- prefectural decree
- prefectural mail
File submitted by mail to the instructor service
One proof of deposit can be issued upon request.
In case of insufficient elements to carry out its examination, the instructing service may invite the applicant to complete or regularize it within a reasonable period of time to be fixed by the Council.
Depending on the nature of the file, it may be subject to public consultation.
The decision may take the form of:
- prefectural decree
- prefectural mail
IOTA
The modifications are not the same according to the regime of the installations, works, works and activities (IOTA)
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Declaration
Any changes provided by the operator to IOTA shall be notified to the prefect before its realization.
This concerns changes related to:
- The work or installation
- How it is used
- Carrying out the work or the resulting development or carrying out the activity or in their vicinity, likely to cause a significant change in the elements of the initial declaration file.
The prefect may require a new declaration.
Example :
- Ditch and watercourse maintenance work
- Restoration works of ecological continuity at the right of a mill,
- Extension of a sewage treatment plant.
Notification to the Prefect of the modification of an IOTA subject to declaration
Environmental Authorization
There are 2 types of modifications, depending on the importance they have on the project:
- Substantial changes, the most important
- Notable changes, the others.
Example :
- Ditch and watercourse maintenance work
- Restoration works of ecological continuity at the right of a mill,
- Extension of a sewage treatment plant.
Substantive changes
A change substantial an IOTA subject to authorization is an amendment which:
- Either constitutes an extension of IOTA to undergo a new environmental assessment
- The quantitative thresholds and criteria set by order of the Minister for the Environment are met
- or is likely to cause significant hazards and inconveniences, in particular to the environment, health or public safety.
Notable changes
A change notable an IOTA subject to authorization is a change that is not substantial.
Any changes that may be significant must be notified to the prefect with all the associated justifications.
Definition substantial and significant changes - Environmental Authorization
Provisions for IOTAs subject to authorization
Conditions substantial and significant changes - Environmental Authorization
Any changes that may be significant must be brought to the attention of the prefect with all the associated justifications.
After examining the file, the inspectorate of classified installations may propose one of the following options to the prefect:
- If the requested amendment is considered significant and substantial : a new procedure for declaration, registration or environmental authorization will then have to be initiated.
- If the change is considered significant and not substantial : a complementary prefectural decree will be proposed to the prefect in order to frame the modifications by new prescriptions.
- If the change is deemed to be non-material and non-substantial : the amendment envisaged by a supplementary prefectural decree or by a prefectural letter may be noted.
Please note
Depending on the nature of the requested amendment, it may be necessary to review the file on a case-by-case basis or to undergo procedures linked to the city planning code.
In order to determine whether the project should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, consult the nomenclature of projects subject to review by case.
If concerned, the a request for a case-by-case review must be made prior to the filing of the amendment file.
Depending on the nature of the project, the constitution of the file can be complex. It is recommended to use a specialized design office.
Thematic tools to assist in the design of dossiers are available below.
The file templates referred to in the teleprocedure MAIOT: titleContent are also available below:
- Warrant of deposit : This document is necessary when a design office makes the application on behalf of the future operator
- Plots: For land projects, if the list of parcels is filed via a file instead of the online table
- Geographical references : For maritime or river projects, if the information is provided via a file instead of the online table
Modification dossiers for an IOTA subject to the environmental declaration or authorization regime may be submitted in one of the following ways:
- Either by using the teleprocedure MAIOT: titleContent
- Either by mail addressed to the instructor service
In any case, it is strongly advised to contact the instructor department concerned before the procedure.
Warning
The Subsequent applications may not be submitted on the MAIOT teleprocedure :
- Change of operator
- Transfer of authorization
- Declaration of grandfathering or entitlement to acquired rights
- Total cessation of activity
They must be sent directly to the instructor by post.
The service to contact is:
- Either the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing (DREAL), or the DRIEAT in Île-de-France
Who shall I contact
- Either the water police service of the departmental directorate of territories (DDT)
- Either the Water Agency
Who shall I contact
Please note
In the overseas departments and regions (Drom), the Water Agency is replaced by a Water Board.
The regulations do not provide for a time limit for instructing the instructing service.
FYI
Implementing changes without waiting for the instructor service to return exposes you to the risk of having to do additional work, or even having to return to the original state, before changes
Proof of filing depends on the manner in which the amendment record was filed.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
File submitted via the teleprocedure
One proof of deposit summarizing all the information entered is automatically issued to the project holder.
In case of insufficient elements to carry out its examination, the instructing service may invite the applicant to complete or regularize it within a reasonable period of time to be fixed by the Council.
Depending on the nature of the file, it may be subject to public consultation.
The decision may take the form of:
- prefectural decree
- prefectural mail
File submitted by mail to the instructor service
One proof of deposit can be issued upon request.
In case of insufficient elements to carry out its examination, the instructing service may invite the applicant to complete or regularize it within a reasonable period of time to be fixed by the Council.
Depending on the nature of the file, it may be subject to public consultation.
The decision may take the form of:
- prefectural decree
- prefectural mail
Definition substantial and significant changes - Environmental Authorization
Renewal of declaration and registration in case of substantial change
Provisions for IOTAs subject to authorization
Notification to the Prefect of the modification of an IOTA subject to declaration
Notification to the Prefect of the significant modification of an ICPE subject to registration
Definition substantial and significant change to a reportable ICPE
Conditions substantial and significant changes - Environmental Authorization
Ministry for the Environment
National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risk (Ineris)
Ministry for the Environment
Ministry for the Environment
Ministry for the Environment