A single spill can be enough to contaminate soil, pollute groundwater and expose the company to criminal liability. In France, regulations require industrial and craft businesses to store hazardous or polluting liquids on a suitable spill containment unit. Yet many choose their equipment at random, risking non-compliance, fines, or having their activity shut down during an inspection.
At Axesspack, we have supported professionals for over 50 years in managing and securing their liquids. This practical guide explains how to choose a compliant, effective spill containment unit, taking into account current regulations, the minimum capacity required, the material suited to your products, and chemical compatibility rules.
1Why use a spill containment system?
A spill containment unit is not a simple accessory: it is the last line of safety between your hazardous liquids and the environment. Without it, an accidental leak can have three immediate consequences:
- Avoid an environmental risk — a single 200 L drum leaking is enough to durably pollute soil or a rainwater network. Decontamination often costs thousands of euros.
- Avoid a regulatory risk — French law (Environmental Code, ICPE orders) requires a retention volume suited to your containers. Non-compliance exposes you to fines, or even administrative closure.
- Avoid an economic risk — workshop downtime, loss of stored product, higher insurance premiums. Every litre lost is an unnecessary expense.
Conversely, choosing a suitable spill containment unit protects your teams, your facilities and your finances — and lets you stay at ease during an inspection.
2French regulations in force
French regulations on the containment of polluting and hazardous liquids aim to protect water, soil and the environment from any accidental pollution caused by storage. They apply to all industrial or agricultural sites subject to ICPE legislation (Installation Classée pour la Protection de l'Environnement — a French classification for environmentally regulated facilities, under the authorisation, registration or declaration regime), whenever they store liquids likely to pollute water or soil (hydrocarbons, solvents, acids, bases, agrochemical products…).
2.1 Applicable regulatory framework
The order of 4 October 2010, as amended, relating to the prevention of accidental risks within ICPE facilities, is the main reference text. It requires a minimum retention capacity for any storage of liquid likely to pollute water or soil, with the core principle detailed in the next section — 100% of the largest container or 50% of the total capacity, whichever value is greater.
2.2 Reference texts and recent developments
- Order of 4 October 2010, as amended, Article 25 — method for calculating retention capacity. View on Légifrance (in French)
- Order of 28 February 2022 — fully amended the order of 4 October 2010, consolidating provisions relating to the prevention of accidental risks, including retention capacity.
- Order of 12 November 2025 — an amending order making technical adjustments to the same text, without altering the basic principles of containment.
- Order of 24 September 2020 relating to the storage of flammable liquids in mobile containers — covers IBC tanks, drums and jerricans containing flammable liquids. View on Légifrance (in French)
- Order of 3 October 2010 relating to the storage of flammable liquids in above-ground manufactured tanks — applies to fixed tanks. View on AIDA INERIS (in French)
- The Environmental Code — sets out the general principle of preventing accidental pollution and protecting soil and water. View on Légifrance (in French)
To check your ICPE classification: ICPE Nomenclature — INERIS AIDA (in French) or French Ministry for Ecological Transition (in French). All facilities may be subject to stricter local prefectural requirements depending on their activity.
2.3 Chemical incompatibilities
French law prohibits grouping together, in the same containment unit, products that could react dangerously with one another (e.g. strong acids and bases). Operators must therefore check product compatibility before combining them in the same unit.
"-" must not be stored together
"0" may only be stored together under certain conditions
"+" can be stored together
 Flammable |
 Oxidising |
 Toxic |
 Harmful / irritant |
|
| Flammable |
+ | - | - | + |
| Oxidising |
- | + | - | 0 |
| Toxic |
- | - | + | + |
| Harmful / irritant |
+ | 0 | + | + |
2.4 A legal and financial responsibility
In the event of non-compliance, the consequences are serious:
- Fines and prefectural formal notices
- Suspension or shutdown of activity
- Environmental and financial liability in the event of pollution
- Industrial pollution remains associated with the responsible company's image for a long time
This is why Axesspack offers legally compliant containment units, available in PE, steel or compact formats, to cover every use case.
3Which material to choose based on the product stored: PE or galvanised steel?
The material of the spill containment unit determines its strength, chemical compatibility and lifespan. At Axesspack, we offer solutions in galvanised steel and polyethylene (new or 100% recycled) to meet every need.
Polyethylene (PE) containment
YESPolluting, harmful, toxic, aggressive chemical products (acids, bases)
NOFlammable products
Advantages
- High resistance to acids, bases and chemical products
- Light and easy to handle
- Not affected by corrosion
Limitations
- Less suited to heavy hydrocarbons or flammable solvents
Recommended for
Strong acids (e.g. sulphuric acid), concentrated bases (e.g. caustic soda), polluting, harmful or toxic products. Galvanised steel should be avoided for these products: it corrodes quickly.
Recommended uses
Workshops, laboratories, maintenance areas, sites sensitive to CSR requirements.
Galvanised steel containment
YESOils, solvents, paints, hydrocarbons, flammable products
NOCorrosive chemical products (strong acids)
Advantages
- Recommended for flammable products (oils, solvents, hydrocarbons)
- Withstands heavy loads (IBC tanks, multiple drums)
- Long lifespan indoors and outdoors
Limitations
- Not compatible with strong acids (risk of corrosion)
- Heavier and less manoeuvrable than PE
Recommended for
Oils, fuels and solvents: better mechanical strength and enhanced fire safety. PE may work for certain light hydrocarbons, but steel remains recommended for intensive use. For non-hazardous products (food-grade oils, agrochemicals), a new or recycled PE unit remains the most cost-effective solution.
Recommended uses
Industry, ICPE-classified sites, long-term storage, sites sensitive to CSR requirements.
4Determining the minimum retention capacity
Choosing a spill containment unit isn't a matter of guesswork. You must apply the "most demanding volume" rule, i.e. take the higher of the two following scenarios.
4.1 The "most demanding volume" rule
Containers under 250 litres
For containers of 250 L or less (drums, jerricans), a stricter rule applies — mandatory for ICPE sites subject to authorisation:
- Total volume < 800 L → retention = 100% of total volume
- Total volume ≥ 800 L → retention = 800 L minimum, or 50% of the total for a flammable liquid, or 20% of the total for other liquids (whichever value is higher)
We recommend applying this by default, whether or not you are ICPE-classified, to stay covered in all cases.
Containers over 250 litres
For containers over 250 litres (IBC tanks), the retention capacity must be at least equal to the higher of the two values:
- 100% of the largest container's capacity
- 50% of the total capacity of all containers stored
4.2 Practical examples
Example 1: 2 drums of 220 L
→ Largest container = 220 L (≤250L)
→ Total 440 L < 800 L → 100% of total
Minimum capacity = 440 L
Example 2: 1 IBC 1000 L + 2 drums 220 L
→ Largest container = 1000 L (>250L)
→ General rule: max(1000 L, 50% of 1440 L)
Minimum capacity = 1000 L
Example 3: 10 jerricans of 25 L
→ Largest container = 25 L (≤250L)
→ Total 250 L < 800 L → 100% of total
Minimum capacity = 250 L
4.3 Summary table
| Stock | Total volume | Largest container | Rule applied | Minimum retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 drums of 220 L | 440 L | 220 L (≤250L) | Total < 800 L → 100% of total | 440 L |
| 1 IBC tank of 1000 L | 1000 L | 1000 L (>250L) | General rule | 1000 L |
| 1 IBC 1000 L + 2 drums 220 L | 1440 L | 1000 L (>250L) | General rule (100% largest > 50% total) | 1000 L |
| 10 jerricans of 25 L | 250 L | 25 L (≤250L) | Total < 800 L → 100% of total | 250 L |
5Calculate your retention capacity online
Enter your containers below to get the minimum volume required, calculated according to the rules detailed above.
Total volume stored
0 L
Largest container
0 L
Applicable rule
-
This calculator is provided for indicative and informational purposes. It applies the general rule from Article 25 of the order of 4 October 2010, as amended, but does not cover all specific cases (fire-fighting water, specific prefectural requirements, additional sector-specific regulations such as Seveso or ADR). It does not replace the advice of a design office or an HSE expert. Axesspack cannot be held liable for any non-compliance resulting from the use of this tool without further verification.
6Best practices and mistakes to avoid
- Always check the compatibility between the stored liquid and the containment unit's material before installation.
- Maintain your units regularly: visually inspect for cracks, corrosion, seals.
- Clearly label stored products to avoid incompatible mixtures.
Common mistake: basing the calculation solely on the number of containers, without applying the regulatory rule
Consequence: unit overflows in the event of a leak, installation immediately non-compliant.
Solution: always compare "100% of the largest container" and "50% of the total volume" (or the ≤250 L rule where applicable).
Common mistake: using a steel unit to store acids or bases
Consequence: accelerated corrosion, risk of leaks and pollution.
Solution: use polyethylene for corrosive products.
Common mistake: placing a 1000 L IBC tank on a unit designed only for jerricans
Consequence: deformation, cracking, structural failure.
Solution: check the unit's load capacity before purchasing.
Common mistake: no clear labelling such as "Hazardous liquids" or "Spill containment unit"
Consequence: confusion during an intervention, criminal liability incurred.
Solution: systematically display the required regulatory pictograms.
By choosing a suitable spill containment unit and following these simple rules, you avoid costly incidents and stay compliant with the law.
7FAQ — Your frequently asked questions about containment
When is a spill containment unit mandatory?
A spill containment unit is mandatory whenever you store hazardous or polluting liquids (oils, solvents, acids, bases, hydrocarbons). French regulations require that every container be placed on a containment device to prevent any pollution of soil or water, particularly for sites subject to ICPE rules.
What retention volume should I plan for my containers?
The unit's capacity must be at least equal to 100% of the largest container stored or 50% of the total volume stored (general rule for containers > 250 L), with a specific tiered rule for containers ≤ 250 L. Use the calculator above for your exact case.
Which material should I choose for my spill containment unit?
Galvanised steel: ideal for hydrocarbons, solvents, flammable products. New polyethylene: resistant to acids and bases, unaffected by corrosion. 100% recycled polyethylene: same chemical compatibility as new PE, with an environmental and economic advantage.
Can several different products be stored in the same unit?
Yes, provided the products are compatible with one another and with the unit's material. If in doubt, it is recommended to separate chemical families (e.g. acids / bases, solvents / hydrocarbons) to avoid any risk of reaction — see the incompatibility matrix above.
Can a spill containment unit be used outdoors?
Yes, a spill containment unit can be placed outdoors. However, it is advisable to cover or protect it to prevent rainwater from accumulating inside. This ensures the usable capacity remains available in the event of a leak.
How do I maintain a spill containment unit?
Regularly inspect the unit's condition (cracks, corrosion, seals) and drain it as soon as it contains liquid or rainwater. Clean it with products compatible with the material and the substances stored. A monthly check is good practice.
8Which containment unit for your containers?
- Small jerricans or bottles (up to 200 L) → small-volume spill containment units
- 220 L drums stored upright → spill pallets for drums
- 1000 L IBC tank (1, 2 or 3 tanks) → spill pallets for IBC tanks
- Low volume over a large surface, low height → spill decks
- Unsheltered outdoor use → spill cupboards, to prevent rainwater build-up
