Founded in 1990, INERIS is an EPIC (French public research body of an industrial and commercial character), under the aegis of the French Ministry for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning. INERIS mission is to carry out or commission studies and research programmes aimed at preventing the risks brought about by economic activities on health, the safety of persons and property and on the environment, and to provide any services intended to facilitate the adaptation of companies with this objective in mind.