APAVE TODAY AND TOMORROW 2009_BUSINESS REPORT

Transcription

1 APAVE TODAY AND TOMORROW 2009_BUSINESS REPORT

2 2009, A STABLE YEAR Although 2009 was impacted by the economic crisis, it was nevertheless a stable year for Apave. Turnover rose to million for a net income of 12.6 million. _ Taking into account the financial climate, these results are reassuring and are due to several factors: a determined policy to reduce costs without compromising the quality of our services; a more aggressive sales effort, particularly in the nuclear sector and internationally; leveraging the efforts of our 9,650 employees in France and on forty sites abroad. Our international business activity is mainly located in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and now represents 14.8% of our net turnover, against only 13% in We have developed a number of strategic sites, including Apave China (which started operations in 2009), and Apave Turkey. Apave Japan will be coming soon. The economic outlook for 2010 confirms our strategy of industrializing our processes and developing internationally through alliances with foreign partners. In 2010, for example, we launched a joint venture with Lloyd s Register to address the growing needs of the nuclear industry in the UK and other countries. Christian Mainet. Chairman of Apave Groupe. In the same way, we shall introduce the Group s new system of governance in late 2010 to ensure greater competitiveness and efficiency. A single structure of governance and operational management, a more aggressive sales strategy, and a lower cost base should help us serve our customers more effectively and strengthen Apave s position as the undisputed leader in risk management for companies and local authorities.

3 INSPECTION P.16 _ TRAINING P.24 _ 4_ 2009 IN PICTURES 10 _HIGHLIGHTS BUILDING P.20 TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS P.30 _ CONSULTANCY P.34 _ A REFERENCE PLAYER IN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY 12 _ QUESTIONS FOR VAN PHUC LÊ, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CEOs APAVE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE 14 _ QUESTIONS FOR JEAN BERSEILLE, CHAIRMAN OF APAVE SUDEUROPE 18_INSPECTION 22_BUILDING 26_TRAINING 32_TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS 36_CONSULTANCY 40 _ SPECIALIZED SUBSIDIARIES 42 _ LOCATIONS CONTENTS

4 20 09 IN PICTURES MAJOR PROJECTS _ PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY: SUBSTANTIAL INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY APAVE PROVIDES PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY, WHEREBY PROJECT-ORIENTED TEAMS HELP CUSTOMERS, FROM WORK INSPECTION THOUGH TO DELIVERY IN A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL, SAFETY, QUALITY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS. _

5 TRANSPORTATION _ THERE ARE MORE AND MORE TRAMWAY, METRO AND HIGH-SPEED TRAIN PROJECTS. APAVE HAS DEVELOPED CONSIDERABLE EXPERTISE IN GUIDED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS. IT IS MAINLY TASKED WITH INSPECTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATIONS AND STRUCTURES, EVALUATING WORKSITE AND FIRE SAFETY, INSPECTING ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL INSTALLATIONS, AND ASSESSING SAFETY PRIOR TO COMMISSIONING. _

6 NUCLEAR _ RATED AND APPROVED BY THE FRENCH NUCLEAR SAFETY AUTHORITY (ASN), APAVE HAS SUPPORTED NUCLEAR STAKEHOLDERS (MANUFACTURERS, OPERATORS AND CONTRACTORS) FOR MORE THAN FORTY YEARS. IT HAS ALSO BEEN LEVERAGING ITS SKILLS ON AN INTERNATIONAL SCALE (EPR IN FINLAND, ITER, AND MISSIONS IN RUSSIA, JAPAN, CHINA, AND ITALY). _

7 20 09 IN PICTURES HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (HEQ) CONSTRUCTION _ THE FRENCH ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM, LE GRENELLE DE L ENVIRONNEMENT, HAS SET AMBITIOUS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TARGETS FOR HOUSING AND OFFICE BUILDINGS. APAVE HAS THEREFORE EXPANDED ITS TEAM OF SPECIALISTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE. _

8 HEALTHCARE _ QUALITY DEMANDS ARE INCREASING IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL DEVICES, PARTICULARLY FOR X-RAY DIAGNOSES. APAVE PROVIDES HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WITH A GLOBAL SERVICE COVERING PERIODIC SAFETY INSPECTIONS, QUALITY CONTROLS AND MORE. _

9 20 09 IN PICTURES TRAINING _ APAVE HAS EXTENDED ITS LEAD IN TRAINING FOR SAFETY AT WORK. ACTIONS ARE ALSO UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE TECHNICAL SKILLS. APAVE HAS UPGRADED AND BOOSTED ITS NETWORK TO OFFER 143 TRAINING CENTERS ON ITS CUSTOMERS DOORSTEPS. _

10 business report HIGHLIGHTS KEY FIGURES 2009 TURNOVER TURNOVER BY GEOGRAPHY 14.8% International M 2009 NET INCOME 12.6 M 85.2% France WORKFORCE 9,650 employees in France and abroad 200,000 customers in France and worldwide _

11 2009 business report 11 ORGANIZATION APAVE ALSACIENNE APAVE PARISIENNE APAVE NORD-OUEST APAVE SUDEUROPE Christian Mainet Chairman Christian Mainet Chairman Jean-Louis Hédelin Chairman Jean Berseille Chairman Rémi Sohier CEO Rémi Sohier CEO Bertrand Clément CEO Van Phuc Lê CEO TECHNICAL CENTER APAVE ALSACIENNE Christian Mainet Chairman TECHNICAL CENTER APAVE NORD-OUEST Gérard Angoustures Chairman TECHNICAL CENTER APAVE SUDEUROPE Georges Lopez Chairman CETEN APAVE INTERNATIONAL Bertrand Clément Chairman of the Management Committee Philippe Pâris CEO APAVE GROUPE Christian Mainet Chairman Van Phuc Lê Chairman of the Board of CEOs Philippe Pâris Company Secretary APAVE DÉVELOPPEMENT Jean-Paul Talagrand Chairman Philippe Pâris CEO A DEMANDING QUALITY AGENDA We aim to provide our customers with services that adapt constantly to their needs, building on the skills, reactivity and local availability of our thousands of employees. Our quality system is designed to ensure this service for our customers, and our overall quality policy is focused on: ensuring long-term customer satisfaction, involving our teams in our development. Each year, the Board of Directors reviews our quality indicators, identifies their strengths and weaknesses, and sets priorities for the future. For 2010, attention is focused on four issues: effective supervision, the quality of deliverables, satisfying customers and trainees, deadlines for deliverables. OUR VALUES Experience We have a 140-year track record of sustained technical progress. Expertise Our 9,650 engineers, technicians and other employees provide specific skills, day in, day out. Proximity Our doorstep approach from both a geographical and technical standpoint ensures fast response times. Independence As a third party organization, Apave always acts impartially and transparently. It is completely independent of suppliers, manufacturers and other business partners.

12 business report A REFERENCE PLAYER IN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY QUESTIONS FOR VAN PHUC LÊ, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CEOs Why has Apave played such an active role in the nuclear industry? Van Phuc Lê _ Our technical experience is widely recognized. For over 40 years, Apave employees have worked with almost everyone in the French nuclear industry, one of the largest in the world, with its 19 power plants and 58 units. Our customers appreciate our services, which meet all of the needs of the three major constituencies: equipment designers/builders, users, and the contractors who build and dismantle nuclear installations. What have been your main business activities for your customers? Van Phuc Lê _ Among equipment designers/suppliers, we mainly work on checking pressure equipment compliance (auditing quality systems, checking calculations, quality monitoring, monitoring manufacturing, pre-commissioning checks etc.). We also respond to many requests concerning the compliance and safety of electrical systems, mechanical equipment and lifting gear. We draw on the skills of our SOPEMEA subsidiary to conduct equipment qualifications using tests and trials. In the case of operators, in addition to periodic compliance inspections for all types of equipment (pressure, mechanical, electrical and so on), we handle a large number of technical support calls. Our employees have, for example, worked on the chemical cleaning of steam generators together with environmental monitoring and work hygiene. We have also assisted operators in better managing the aging phase of their equipment including structure diagnoses, fatigue metrics, nondestructive testing, and so on. Apave also provides comprehensive training sessions for staff working in the sector. We work in a quite separate way with contracting authorities involved in building or dismantling nuclear facilities. We either act as technical inspector or coordinator in checking the soundness of constructions and the safety of people and participants in projects, or we provide project management consultancy to help them reach the best

13 2009 business report 13 decisions with respect to technical, regulatory, financial and administrative issues. What were the key events in 2009? Van Phuc Lê _ Apave won new contracts to replace steam generators (SG). Our employees have also expanded their international experience, for example in Japan, on missions for checking the manufacturing conditions of parts for replacement steam generators. We have also worked in Russia, Italy and Finland with the Olkiluoto EPR. In addition, Apave was involved in the JHR (Jules Horowitz Experimental Reactor), and Areva and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have entrusted Apave with assessing their quality systems (module H) for the design and manufacture of nuclear pressure equipment. CLOSE-UP THE OUTLOOK FOR 2010 The growth of nuclear activity in China and Southeast Asia, its probable resumption in the United Kingdom, and the increasingly strong demand in emerging countries for access to civilian nuclear energy all strengthen our strategy of consolidating our position as leader in this sector. We signed a joint venture with Lloyd's Register in London and established Lloyd's Register Apave Ltd. This allows us to respond jointly to the resurgence of nuclear activity in the United Kingdom, and other possible extensions around the world. The last piece of good news is that the European Agency for Nuclear Fusion (Fusion for Energy (F4E)) has selected Apave to coordinate safety on the ITER site, and carry out the technical inspection of the construction of 39 buildings. This is an exceptional contract, and some fifty engineers and technicians will be involved in the project.

14 business report APAVE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE QUESTIONS FOR JEAN BERSEILLE CHAIRMAN OF APAVE SUDEUROPE What is the strategy behind your international development? Jean Berseille _ The markets in France and Europe are becoming increasingly competitive in a currently sluggish economy. So we are naturally refocusing on countries whose GDP growth is much higher than those in Western Europe. In Africa, the Near and Middle East, and South-East Asia, there are many projects related to the exploitation of raw materials and other extractive industries that require new large infrastructure projects. These projects naturally involve substantial requirements in the fields of inspection, project technical assistance, inspecting construction work and training. So to meet our customers expectations, we have expanded outside France, and in less than 10 years we have grown our network of subsidiaries from approximately 200 employees in 2000 to over 1,700 today. Our turnover and profits have progressed at the same rate. Which parts of the world does Apave operate in? Jean Berseille _ We operate in: Africa, and the Near and Middle East with 26 subsidiaries; Southeast Asia and the Pacific with 3 locations; Europe with offices in Italy, Spain, Macedonia, Belgium, Switzerland and Monaco. New opportunities are opening up in South America, especially Chile, as well as

15 2009 business report 15 in Turkey and the former Soviet republics (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, etc.) along with China and Japan. Which are the most promising markets? Jean Berseille _ Our services primarily focus on the oil sector, where we carry out over 60% of our business, but we also provide services to the building industry and other types of infrastructure. Alongside traditional technical inspection, project management consultancy (PMC) is growing significantly, as the contract for Tripoli airport demonstrates. We are also looking at development projects in the nuclear sector in geographies where we operate. What is vital to the success of your international operations? Jean Berseille _ Being close to the customer Being reactive Multi-disciplinary skills Multicultural teams (French, Anglo-Saxon, Eastern European, Vietnamese, African, etc.) Creating new services What were the highlights of your international activity in 2009? Jean Berseille _ The year s key events were the setting up of subsidiaries in Ghana, Qatar, Turkey and Macedonia, and the kickoff of our subsidiary s activity in China. Business progressed in all countries where we operate, largely driven by the expertise and experience we have built up in France.

16 business report INSPECTION Once again this year, compliance checks on equipment and facilities accounted for more than 50% of our business. Electrical safety remains a major focus of our operations. Our people worked with healthcare professionals using X-ray machines, operators applying ICPE (i.e. facilities requiring environmental impact assessment) and machinery manufacturers to meet their new regulatory commitments. COVERAGE _ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS _PRESSURE EQUIPMENT _MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT _WAVES AND RAYS _FACILITY FIRE SAFETY _SYSTEMS: ENERGY AND FLUIDS _TRANSPORT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, ETC.

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18 business report INSPECTION Our inspection activity is mainly directed at checking the compliance of electrical installations, lifting equipment, machines, fire-safety and radiation protection devices. These checks occur in two stages: when commissioning equipment, to verify they comply with the regulations; when operating, to periodically check they are in good order. Checking pressure equipment Apave has consolidated its leading position in the checking of conventional pressure equipment (boilers, tanks, etc.), especially in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and energy sectors. High degree of activity in the nuclear sector As an ASN-rated and approved organization, Apave has stepped up its nuclear business in France and abroad to address the growth in nuclear activity in Southeast Asia (China, Japan) and Europe through, for example, its missions on the EPR in Finland. Medical imaging In all, 60,000 pieces of medical equipment are covered by the new regulatory requirements for the performance reliability of radiological diagnoses. In 2009, Apave received additional approvals. Teams can now meet the needs of healthcare professionals who deploy: analog mammography; digital mammography; bone densitometers, scanners; radiology-based diagnostic apparatus. In 2010, our periodic performance monitoring will focus on dental radiology equipment. Environmental risk of premises The five-year review of environmental risks in the ICPE (facilities classified for environmental protection) must include reporting in 38 areas of activities (farming, laundries, foundries, fertilizer storage buildings, fuel storage premises, etc.). Apave has been accredited by the Cofrac (French committee for accreditation) and approved by the Ministry for Ecology (Meedat) for all of these areas. Elevators: five-year technical inspections introduced The application of the new French legislation (The Robien Law) primarily concerns

19 2009 business report EFFECTIVE USE OF ONLINE INSPECTION DATA Apave offers customers, especially multi-site customers, 24/7 online access to their reports via a secure web space. On this full-feature site, they can manage inspection data, have a clear view of equipment involved in the observations, and schedule their readings. WE WANTED TO REFOCUS ON A SINGLE CONTRACT COVERING ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFTING, PRESSURE AND ELECTRICITY. _ 1unique information desk for national customers working over multiple sites. They can now speak directly to a dedicated national contact person who can coordinate with the entire network of 130 Apave local agencies. _ elevators operating in buildings used by the public. The aim is to check the fire prevention devices. Apave specialists responded in particular to the requirements of safety committees. Manufacturers affected by the new Machinery Directive The new Machinery Directive came into force in late 2009 and applies to manufacturers commercializing machinery on the European market. It is now easier to apply this due to the inclusion of more detailed information, and it now covers quasi-machines (such as robots). Via Coprec, Apave participated in the work on implementing the application order for the decree that transposes this Directive into French law. Our teams have also answered questions from manufacturers about the scope and changes involved. \\ Towards global inspection services. The ArcelorMittal Florange steel plant is a large-scale facility all of which is subject to regulation. This amounts to a very broad inspection task, and we used to use several different companies for it. We wanted to refocus on a single contract covering all our requirements for lifting, pressure and electricity. We needed a supplier who could support us in inventorying all the devices requiring inspection. There is a vast amount of equipment scattered over this huge site, some less visible than others, and it must all be checked for reliability. Absolutely nothing must slip through the cracks! As Apave had always worked on the site s pressure equipment, they have already mastered this difficult process. The simplest and most logical solution was for them to extend inspections to the other sectors. _ LAURE DI PIETRO ARCELORMITTAL FLORANGE HEAD OF THE CENTRAL MECHANICAL RELIABILITY DEPARTMENT

20 business report BUILDING Apave s construction inspection business withstood the severe crisis that affected the building sector. There were three key events during the year: growth in legacy site audits; an increase in requests for project management consultancy (excluding construction inspection); the restructuring of Apave s services concerning the energy performance of buildings in order to meet customer needs and the requirements of the recent French Environment Forum, le Grenelle de l environnement. COVERAGE _CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION _ HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTION _ DIAGNOSTICS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE _ PROPERTY AUDITS _ FIRE AND HEAT CHECKS _ HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY _ PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY

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22 business report BUILDING The construction inspection business proved resilient during the crisis in this sector, and even achieved a number of successes on the public procurement market. Operations focused on verifying the soundness of buildings and on human safety, and accounted for some 60% of our construction business. Clean worksites: Apave innovates Apave carried out operations involving the coordination of health and safety protection on construction sites. These help prevent accidents affecting those working on-site. For contractors wishing to ensure their sites are safe without getting involved in High Environmental Quality (HEQ) procedures, Apave can provide an environmental coordinator working alongside the health and safety coordinator. He is tasked with implementing an environmental management system, especially to handle waste production and management, but also to reduce noise, pollution, dust, and traffic problems for local residents. This approach was initiated in the social housing sector and is now developing in the tertiary sector and in site remediation operations. Legacy site audits on the rise Now that the French state and public companies have begun to dispose of their real estate holdings, there is a rise in requests for evaluations financial, technical (state of repair, compliance, operability, etc.). Apave has joined forces with major audit firms to

23 2009 business report 23 PMC AN APAVE TEAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY SPECIALISTS Apave has set up a team of environmental quality specialists, capable of helping private developers obtain their CERQUAL (residential) certification and project owners their CERTIVEA (public buildings and industrial facilities) certification. contribute its technical skills to their financial know-how. Aiding real estate holdings operators There is a growing need for services to address three types of owners and/or managers of real estate assets: aid in decisions to sell, renovate or maintain; helping functional improvements, such as reducing operating costs or improving rental income; helping factor in new requirements related to energy savings and sustainable development. Project Management Consultancy for energy performance In light of the plans of the French Environment Forum, le Grenelle de l environnement, the construction sector will experience a revolution in both energy and technology. In the case of energy, it will have to meet the legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and saving energy. In terms of technology, it must invent or adapt solutions that meet energy efficiency thresholds while ensuring maximum comfort for users. Apave provides six special services to help owners meet their regulatory obligations (such as calculating their energy performance, and so on). \\ WE CHOSE THE APAVE SOLUTION BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE, COMPLETE AND BEST-STRUCTURED BID TARGETING OUR REQUEST. _ A large stadium as showcase The first French positive energy stadium, the Grand Stade in the Greater Le Havre area, scheduled to open in 2012, will form a showcase for sustainable development in the Seine-Maritime region. Apave is providing the technical inspection and checks for the safety of individuals on the site and is contributing to the environmental approach to sustainable development as a technical assistant to the project management. We chose the Group s solution because it was the most attractive, complete and best-structured bid targeting our request. The project management group comprised some forty people, selected before the start of work, who will work together for two years after the opening of the stadium to ensure that everything works perfectly. So Apave will be helping us until _ JEAN-FRANÇOIS CAUX CODAH ( COMMUNAUTÉ DE L AGGLOMÉRATION HAVRAISE ) PROJECT DIRECTOR

24 business report TRAINING Despite the crisis, our training business has remained at virtually the same level of activity as the previous year, with a total of 260,000 people trained in While safety training is still the dominant focus, advanced professional training (technical aspects of jobs, preparation for vocational retraining etc.) forms a new growth area. Apave anticipated the consequences of the French reform on vocational training published in late 2009 and on electrician accreditations so that it can respond quickly to customers requests. COVERAGE _SAFETY _ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING _PROFESSIONAL TECHNIQUES _E-LEARNING _INSTRUCTIONAL ENGINEERING

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26 business report TRAINING Safety training is still the dominant focus and demand is high. Apave offers one of the most comprehensive training services on the market. It enables companies to meet their training obligations, whatever their sector of activity, from industry, commerce, and nuclear, to healthcare, construction and local authorities. Safety training The four programs most in demand from companies cover: electrician accreditations; driver training for forklifts, site vehicles and machinery (Caces ); health and safety at work; preventing chemical risks.

27 2009 business report 27 E-LEARNING AN PLATFORM FOR A HIGH-GROWTH SECTOR In 2008, Apave launched a new e-learning platform that now offers access to training on electrician accreditations, airport safety, health and safety at work, and safety management. Apave provides blended learning actions, combining distance learning and classroom training. 1 st in France as a private body providing training for safety at work, Apave is ranked third in private training for its range of courses. _ Developing technical skills These courses are designed to enable employees to acquire the necessary technical skills, and to learn professional best practices and prevention. The courses lead to qualification certificates for the industrial and tertiary sectors, and provide recognized vocational skills. Ultimately, these courses allow employees, along with tem- porary workers and job seekers, to learn new skills, improve their performance and employment prospects, and boost their opportunities for reassignment and mobility. Apave innovates with online positioning tests Positioning tests conducted online at apaveformation.com can assess trainee knowledge acquisition so that the content and duration of the courses can be tailored to the results. These tests currently cover electricity, refrigerants, and energy topics. Apave teams also set final assessments - for example, the SNCF technical reviews for certain categories of personnel involved in train maintenance services are planned and organized by Apave at the end of the session on mechanical and electrical topics. The SNCF then incorporates the results into its own career development and mobility policy.

28 business report 1,750 Apave instructors are unique in being practitioners, professionals, teachers and facilitators all rolled in one. This makes the courses far more effective. _ Preparing for the vocational training reform and electrician accreditations The vocational training reform will significantly change the role of training suppliers. Apave has already initiated a policy of partnership with OPCA (the vocational training agency or - ganization) to tailor its courses to business Handling refrigerants. Apave is certified as an evaluating body that can issue certificates of competency to staff handling these fluids. _ activities represented by companies covered by these agencies. In the case of the electrician accreditation reform, once the law is published, Apave is ready to offer customers a complete solution covering a training audit plan for the company in question, based on the new accreditation gradings, and tailored training courses that can recycle current accreditations. Apave has also created training programs for the automotive sector for staff involved in manufacturing hybrid vehicles. In 2010, new training programs will focus on all-electric vehicles. Upgrading and expanding our doorstep network Proximity is a critical asset for Apave s training agenda. In all there are 143 centers and units

29 2009 business report 29 WITH APAVE, WE HAVE SET UP TRAINING PROGRAMS TO ENSURE MAXIMUM SAFETY FOR ELECTRICIANS AND ENGINEERS WORKING ON OUR PROTOTYPES. _ Risk prevention Apave is long-term partner of PSA in a number of courses, including industrial electrician accreditations. As we are aware of the Group s skills, we naturally asked them to provide training for the UTE C standard. This standard dates back to 2000 and was revised in 2006, and is intended to protect people who work on vehicles with electric and hybrid engines. With Apave, we have set up training programs to ensure maximum safety for electricians and other technicians working on our prototype vehicles powered by these technologies. The aim was to prevent all types of risks such as the risk of electrification due to high voltages, and of projections of molten metal in the case of short circuits. In all, about 1,000 people were trained in By the end of 2010, nearly 3,000 employees working in design, manufacturing and after-sales will have received training under this program. _ spread all over France. In 2009, new centers in Angoulême, Besançon, Dunkerque, Épinal, Montpellier, Port-de-Bouc, Strasbourg and Valence started up. Others were substantially upgraded such as Bourg-en-Bresse, Lyon and Nantes (which extended its coverage of renewable energy), Oyonnax, Rennes and Taverny (which doubled its capacity). \\ DAVID LUZON PSA RESEARCH ASSISTANT TECHNICAL JOB TRAINING

30 business report TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS This is a growth business, dominated by measures set out by environmental requirements. Air quality measurements continue to play a key role, while product testing and materials analysis are increasing. COVERAGE _SAMPLING, ANALYSIS, ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS OF AIR, WATER, NOISE, SOIL, AND WASTE _WORK STATION HYGIENE: MEASUREMENTS OF EXPOSURE TO CHEMICAL RISK, VENTILATION CONTROLS AND SITE SANITATION, NOISE MEASUREMENTS _CHARACTERIZATION AND AUDITS OF METAL AND PLASTIC MATERIALS _PRODUCT TESTS (EITHER FOR EC LABELING OR SPECIFICATIONS-BASED) _TESTS AND QUALIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT (SOPEMEA SUBSIDIARY) _LEGAL AND INDUSTRIAL METROLOGY (THROUGH ITS A+ MÉTROLOGIE SUBSIDIARY)

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32 business report TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS Most of the tests and measurements business is dedicated to measurements of air pollution, diagnostics and analyses for water and sanitation, sampling and analysis of waste and soil, noise and vibration measurements, product testing and materials analysis. Waste in water The national campaign for searching for and reducing hazardous substances in water continued its efforts. Specially authorized installations listed for environmental protection are concerned by the new circular dated January 5, For operators this means measuring and then reducing certain substances found in their industrial wastewater and removing the most dangerous of them. Specialist Apave teams have therefore responded to operator demands by launching the first campaigns for preliminary monitoring. The ultimate goal is to support industry in sustainably monitoring their discharges into wastewater and conducting a technical and economic study of how to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances in wastewater. Air quality at work stations To protect workers against chemicals and CMRS agents (carcinogens, mutagens and substances toxic to reproduction), manufacturers have called on Apave experts to check workplace ventilation and sanitation conditions and carry out measurements of chemical pollution. This has been a growth activity for three years. Concerns about air quality now include indoor living spaces, especially buildings open to the public (nurseries, schools, swimming pools, public transport etc.). This public health issue is also one of the priorities of the national environmental health plan (PNSE2) as part of the French Environment Forum, le Grenelle de l environnement. It also forms part of the High Environmental Quality (HEQ) approach to buildings. Apave