Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS)
 
 

Created in 1990, INERIS is a public research body of an industrial and commercial character, under the supervision of the French Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. In 2010, the staff numbered 584 people including more than 300 engineers, research scientists and managers, and 55 PhD students. INERIS’s mission is to assess and prevent accidental and chronic risks to people and the environment originating from industrial activities, chemical substances and underground works. INERIS engages in two main sorts of research and studies: - Characterisation and understanding of the phenomena that underlie the risks affecting the safety or property, people, health and the environment as a result of economic activities, - Improvement of the identification and evaluation of such risks in order to enable decision-makers in the public and private sectors to adopt the most appropriate measures to improve environmental safety. Using the findings of this research works, INERIS offers advice and high-level technical expertise to public administrations, industry and regional authorities and develops an active policy for disseminating information to a wide public. Technical consultation is also provided to support Public Authorities in their regulatory and standardization activity. INERIS’s work is based on an original methodology that combines an experimental approach, modelling and experience feedback. INERIS is equipped with physico-chemical analysis laboratories and testing and computing facilities that rank among the best in France. INERIS is involved in a number of international and European research programs in partnership with industry and other scientific research bodies both in France and abroad. Within Europe, INERIS has strengthened its involvement in the European Commission’s framework programs for research and technological development. INERIS is leader of the French platform STEEVE (Electrochemical Energy Storage for Electric Vehicles) where INERIS contributes to the evaluation, risk reduction & product certification of batteries. Within Europe, INERIS is involved in HELIOS (High Energy Lithium-Ion Storage Solutions) project, where INERIS performs thermal abuse tests and reaction studies. Further INERIS participate at the European network ALISTORE.