France Summary

France (547,030 sq km; 59,329,691 inhabitants) is a republic, administratively divided in 22 regions and 96 departments. All environmental legislation is drafted centrally by the Ministry of Environment and Territory Planning, and implemented by regions (with regional Directorates for Environment) and departments (technical services).

French environmental law has incorporated the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle, provides for a waste tax, promotes recovery and recycling, and has put in place an eco-labeling system for a limited number of products.