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Energy, Climate change, Environment
Environment

Industrial safety

Preventing and reducing the risk of industrial accidents

Overview

Circle depicting the "continuous improvement cycle to prevent major accidents"
The four arrows represent the iterative process to improve safety management

Chemicals play a crucial role in our daily lives. They are part of virtually every device and manufactured goods we use, and they contribute to our well-being, protection of our health and security.

Through innovation, they also provide solutions to new challenges.

However, where dangerous chemicals are present in large quantities, they also pose a risk for major industrial accidents, potentially endangering human lives, health, and the environment.

Furthermore, such accidents often result in significant economic losses and hinder sustainable growth.

Find a summary of the legislation here.

Objectives

The Seveso III Directive (2012/18/EU) entered into force on 13 August 2012. It aims to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences and harmful impacts on human health and the environment.

Additionally, it aims to:-

  • Prepare and respond appropriately should such accidents occur
  • Identify and promote lessons learned from accidents for prevention purposes

Law

The Directive applies to over 11,000 industrial installations across the EU. It covers sectors, such as the chemical and petrochemical industry, and the fuel wholesale and storage sectors.

Different safety regimes apply, depending on the amount of dangerous substances present, with stricter legal requirements applying to installations handling higher amounts.

The Seveso III Directive plays a key role in better managing risks, preparing a consistent emergency response, and enhancing the safety and security of our population.

This commitment is at the core of the EU agenda, through the European Green Deal, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, as well as the new European Preparedness Union Strategy and the Clean Industrial Deal.

The Directive aligns with other EU policies, thus avoiding double regulation or additional administrative burden, which you can see below.

Implementation 

In 2025, the European Commission published a second report on the implementation and efficient functioning of the Seveso III Directive.

The report finds that between 2019 and 2022, there were, on average, fewer than 22 major industrial accidents per year at the EU level, with lower harmful impacts. It also shows that EU Member States are now better equipped to implement the Directive.

This second implementation report follows a first report for the 2015-2018 period. More information is provided here. 

International cooperation 

The effects of major accidents go beyond national borders. People in the EU can be seriously affected by accidents in neighbouring countries. Therefore, it is necessary to cooperate internationally to achieve a high level of protection worldwide. 

In this context, the EU is active in all relevant international fora, such as:

Controlling major accident hazards also contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Tools

The Minerva portal of the Major Accident Hazards Bureau is a collection of technical information and tools supporting the EU’s major accident hazards policy. Find more information here.

Timeline

Key dates related to the Seveso Directive

  1. 19 September 2025
    Commission releases 2nd implementation report on Seveso III Directive

    See more

  2. 29 September 2021
    Commission releases 1st implementation report on Seveso III Directive

    See more

  3. 13 August 2012
    Seveso III Directive enters into force
  4. 3 February 1997
    Seveso II Directive enters into force
  5. 24 June 1982
    Seveso I Directive enters into force
  7. 10 July 1976
    Chemical accident in Seveso, Italy, occurs

    The incident led to environmental and health damage, and the subsequent creation of the Seveso Directive.

Related links

Contact 

For questions about EU environmental policy, please contact Europe Direct.

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