Towards a strengthening of inspections carried out on pressurised equipment and pipework..

Following the fast presidential election, a major restructuring of the administrative landscape was set in motion. Tasks that historically were the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry are now carried out by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, which in particular is responsible for the whole policy to do with the prevention of technological risks. The General Directorate for the Prevention of Risks (Direction generale de la prevention des risques (DGPR)) of this ministry is now responsible for controlling technological risks, opening up new perspectives in terms of managing accidental risks and offering a new opportunity for an 'integrated' approach, making it possible to deal with an industrial installation in all its facets. Within the DGPR, the Office for the Safety of Industrial Equipment (bureau de la securite des equipements industriels (BSEI)) is responsible for the safety of pressurised equipment, as well as pipes carrying gas, inflammable liquids and chemical products. After a quick presentation of the inspections carried out on this equipment, issues to do with their safety will be dealt with and in particular: - the suitability of inspections carried out in the tight of faults that are likely to occur and develop in the structures; - control of ageing; - management of the quality of new equipment. (author)