Is asbestos illegal in France?
Yes. Asbestos is banned in France. Decree 96-1133 banned asbestos from 1997; EU ban since 2005.
EU member: REACH Regulation 1907/2006 Annex XVII entry 6 bans placing on the market and use of all six asbestos fibres incl. chrysotile (EU-wide deadline 1 Jan 2005, Directive 1999/77/EC); the last derogation (chlor-alkali electrolysis diaphragms) ended 1 Jul 2025 (IBAS chronology rev. 17 Feb 2026). Listed on IBAS 'Current Asbestos Bans' (updated 23 Jun 2026). National: Decree 96-1133 of 24 Dec 1996 on the prohibition of asbestos (Code du travail / Code de la consommation).
Source: EU REACH Annex XVII
Banned (68)Restricted (4)Allowed
- France is one of 68 countries where asbestos is banned, and 4 more restrict it.
- Its neighbours: banned in 7 of 8.
- In Europe: banned in 33 of 39 countries.
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Other countries that ban asbestos
Luxembourg
Malta
Cyprus
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Croatia
Bulgaria
Romania
Czechia
Hungary
AustriaAll 68 on the map ›What else is banned in France
Pit bullsPhones in schoolsSurrogacyPlastic bagsPotassium bromateSpankingPufferfishAnti-personnel landminesTitanium dioxide (E171)Plastic glitterDeclawing catsNicotine pouchesAnimal testing for makeupAzodicarbonamide (the yoga mat chemical)Chlorinated chickenCorporal punishment in schoolsEverything for France ›
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