STMicroelectronics ordered to “respect its environmental obligations”

Several associations (Actions for the climate, FNE Isère, Confédération paysanne Isère) and citizen collectives of Isère announced Thursday in Grenoble that they were putting the industrialist STMicroelectronics on notice to “respect its environmental obligations”.

“We cannot give a blank check to a company which does not fulfill its environmental obligations”, indicated during a press conference Mr. Pierre Janot, lawyer for associations and collectives, in reference to the 2.9 billion euros of aid announced in June by the French State for the expansion of the Crolles factory under the condition of “excellence in environmental and energy efficiency”.

Since a law on the duty of vigilance of March 27, 2017, companies exceeding a certain size, as is the case for STMicroelectronics, have the obligation to establish and implement a “vigilance plan”.

This plan “includes reasonable vigilance measures to identify risks and prevent serious attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms, the health and safety of individuals as well as the environment, resulting from the activities of the company and its those of the companies it controls”, according to the law.

The associations and collectives believe that for the industrialist, specialized in semiconductors, whose Crolles factory (Isère) is in the process of being expanded, the “mapping of risks” (water pollution, artificialization of soils , risks linked to greenhouse gas emissions, economic risks, etc.), with regard to its legal obligations is “largely insufficient”, added Me Janot.

The Regional Mission of the Environmental Authority (MRAE) in its advisory opinion given in February 2023 for the Crolles factory expansion project, highlighted this absence of risk mapping and “gaps” in its presentation file. .

The conclusions of a public inquiry report, also carried out as part of the expansion of the Crolles factory, pointed to “insufficient” data and “uncertainties” on the environmental impacts of the project, as well as the non- compliance with certain provisions of the environmental code.

The formal notice addressed to STMicroelectronics is the legal prerequisite for possible action before the court, which could lead to a court decision requiring the industrialist to respect the law on the duty of vigilance.

The manufacturer has 3 months to respond to this formal notice. “STMicroelectronics establishes and publishes a vigilance plan annually, and implements it effectively,” replied STMicroelectronics, contacted by AFP.

raf-dfa/nth

STMICROELECTRONICS NV