Subsection 1: Formal notice prior to the official report.

Articles in this section · 2

Article R4721-5

French Labour CodeIn force

Updated 2 Nov 2023

The table below sets out the provisions of this part that give rise to the application of the prior formal notice procedure and the minimum period for compliance:


PROVISIONS FOR WHICH
formal notice is required

MINIMUM TIME
for compliance

Pregnant women, women who have recently given birth or who are breastfeeding

Dedicated breastfeeding room provided for in article L. 1225-32.

1 month

Use of the workplace

Provisions relating to the employer's obligations for the use of workplaces in Title II of Book II, with the exception of the second paragraph of article R. 4224-7 and article R. 4224-15.

8 days

Obligation to train first aiders in workshops where dangerous work is performed, as provided for in article R. 4224-15.

1 month

Conditions of installation and protection of tanks, basins and reservoirs provided for in the second paragraph of article R. 4224-7

1 month

Use of work equipment

General principles for the use of work equipment and means of protection provided for in articles R. 4321-1 to R. 4321-5.

8 days

Provision to staff representatives of the documentation relating to work equipment provided for in article R. 4323-5.

8 days

Width, profile and condition of passageways and walkways as provided for in article R. 4323-12.

3 months

Gauge and profile of traffic lanes used by mobile work equipment as provided for in article R. 4323-50.

3 months

Characteristics and conditions of use of the personal protective equipment provided for in articles R. 4323-91 to R. 4323-94.

8 days

Drawing up and making available to staff representatives the instructions for use of the personal protective equipment provided for in article R. 4323-105.

8 days

Chemical risks

Measures against the risks of overflowing, splashing and spillage from ruptured vats, basins, tanks and containers, as provided for in 2° of article R. 4412-17.

1 month

Mechanical vibrations

Characteristics of personal protective equipment against the harmful effects of mechanical vibrations as provided for in article R. 4445-3.

8 days

Building and civil engineering work

Provisions relating to the accommodation of workers as provided for in articles R. 4534-146 and R. 4534-147.

8 days

Occupational health services

Qualification requirements for occupational health service doctors and nurses, as provided for in articles R. 4623-2 and R. 4623-53.

1 month

Procedures for drawing up the employment contract of occupational health physicians, provided for in article R. 4623-4.

1 month

Obligation for the occupational physician to carry out his duties personally, as provided for in article R. 4623-16.

1 month

Presence in the establishment of at least one nurse during normal working hours, as provided for in article R. 4623-56.

1 month

Physical installation of the occupational health service, as provided for by the order mentioned in article R. 4624-30.

1 month

Occupational social service

Provisions of Title III of Book VI relating to the establishment, tasks, organisation and operation of the occupational social service.

1 month

Mariela Petrova

Need help applying this article to your situation?

A registered French Lawyer explains what applies to your business — in English, fixed fee.

within 48h

Fixed Fee

Talk to a lawyer
Common Questions

Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In Corporate Practice

English · French · Russian

Ready When You Are

Talk To A Corporate
Lawyer In France.

A 20–30 minute call, in English, to scope the engagement. No obligation, no preliminary fee. You will leave the call with a clear view of what the work will cover and what it will cost.

First EngagementFixed Fee

Talk to a French lawyer.

Reply within 24 hours.

Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

Continue Reading

Related corporate services in France

01 / Setup

Setting up a French company

Choose between SAS, SARL, SA or SCI — and structure your first French entity around how you actually plan to operate.

Read More
02 / Operating

French commercial contracts

Distribution, agency, supply, services and IP licences — drafted around the protections French law actually gives.

Read More
03 / Disputes

Business disputes & litigation

Shareholder conflicts, commercial breaches and pre-litigation strategy — handled by the same team that knows the file.

Read More