Shelving standards in France: what you need to know
In short
In France, metal shelving is governed by the European standards EN 15512 (design), EN 15620 (tolerances), EN 15629 (specification) and EN 15635 (operation and maintenance), and by the Labour Code, which requires it to be kept in compliance. EN 15635 recommends an expert inspection at least every 12 months.
The regulatory framework: standards and the Labour Code
A metal shelving unit installed in a company is work equipment within the meaning of the Labour Code. Article R4322-1 requires the employer to keep it in a compliant condition, and the risk assessment must cover the storage areas.
The standards in the EN 15xxx series, published by CEN and adopted by AFNOR, constitute the recognised technical framework: they are not mandatory as such, but complying with them is the usual way of demonstrating compliance in the event of an inspection or accident.
| Standard | Purpose | Who is concerned |
|---|---|---|
| NF EN 15512 | Structural design of adjustable pallet racking | Manufacturer, design office |
| NF EN 15620 | Installation tolerances and permissible deformations | Installer, operator |
| NF EN 15629 | Specification of storage equipment (requirements) | Buyer, supplier |
| NF EN 15635 | Operation, inspection and maintenance | Operator |
| NF EN 16299 | Cantilevers | Manufacturer, design office |
The annual inspection: who, what, how
The EN 15635 standard structures the monitoring of shelving into three levels: immediate observations (any employee reports damage), regular visual inspections (weekly in practice) carried out by a person designated in-house, and an expert inspection carried out by a competent person at least every 12 months.
The expert inspection results in a written report classifying each instance of damage into three severity levels: green (monitoring), orange (repair required, unload as soon as possible) and red (immediate unloading and isolation of the area). This report must be kept and the corrective actions traced.
The role of the PRSES (shelving safety officer)
EN 15635 recommends appointing a PRSES (Person Responsible for Storage Equipment Safety): a trained employee responsible for the safety of the storage equipment. They keep the damage register, organise inspections, monitor compliance with load notices and coordinate repairs with the manufacturer or installer.
Key point: any repair must be carried out with the manufacturer’s original components. Straightening a deformed upright is prohibited: a deformed element has lost its mechanical properties and must be replaced.
The operator’s concrete obligations
- Display legible load notices on each shelving unit (load per level, load per bay, configuration).
- Never modify the configuration (beam heights, spacers) without the manufacturer’s validation: the permissible load depends on the position of the levels.
- Anchor the shelving to the floor in accordance with the manufacturer’s plans.
- Protect uprights exposed to forklift impacts (foot guards, front protectors) in the traffic aisles.
- Train forklift operators in load placement and in reporting impacts.
- Keep the documentation: manufacturer’s manual, layout plans, inspection reports.
What are the risks in the event of non-compliance?
In the event of an accident linked to damaged or overloaded shelving, the employer’s liability may be engaged under the duty of safety, with civil (inexcusable fault) and criminal consequences. The absence of inspection reports and load notices is an aggravating factor that is systematically examined.
Beyond the legal risk, a shelving collapse immobilises a storage area for weeks. The cost of an annual expert inspection (generally a few hundred to a few thousand euros depending on the size of the site) is nothing compared with that of an incident.
Frequently asked questions
Is the annual inspection of shelving mandatory in France?
The EN 15635 standard, which recommends an expert inspection at least every 12 months, is not mandatory in itself. But the Labour Code requires work equipment to be kept in compliance, and the annual inspection is the recognised means of meeting this obligation.
Who can carry out the expert inspection of shelving?
A “competent person” within the meaning of EN 15635: a manufacturer’s technician, a qualified installer or an inspection body trained in shelving. They must be independent of the day-to-day operation of the stock and produce a written report classifying the damage.
What do the green, orange and red levels mean?
This is the EN 15635 damage classification: green = damage within tolerances, to be monitored; orange = damage requiring repair, with unloading as soon as possible; red = serious damage requiring immediate unloading and isolation of the shelving.
Can I straighten a bent rack upright myself?
No. Straightening a deformed element is prohibited: the steel has lost its mechanical properties. The component must be replaced by an original part from the manufacturer, installed in accordance with its manual.
Is a load notice mandatory on each shelving unit?
Yes, it is a requirement of EN 15635 adopted by the INRS: each shelving unit must visibly display the maximum permissible loads per level and per bay for the installed configuration. Without a load notice, the operator cannot justify the proper use of the equipment.
Are light-duty office or archive shelving units concerned?
The principles of the Labour Code apply to all storage equipment in a company. The standard series differ (for light-duty shelving, EN 15512 does not apply), but the obligation to keep equipment in compliance, to display the maximum load and to monitor it remains valid.
Sources & references
Related guides
Racking inspection: who, when and how?
NF EN 15635 requires three levels of racking monitoring, including an expert inspection every 12 months. Method, tolerances and the role of the PRSES.
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