Francesca Pepe, Fabrizio Vazzana
The indicator analyzes the distribution of all industrial activities across the country according to the categories defined in Legislative Decree 105/2015 for establishments at risk of major accidents. The analysis of establishment types allows us to define, albeit qualitatively, a mapping of industrial risk in our country. The legislation divides establishments into 38 activity categories plus a thirty-ninth category (other) comprising all activities not included in the previous ones, based on the NACE code. As of 30 June 2026, there are 972 establishments at risk of a major accident, one more than in December 2025. As regards the type of activities present on the national territory, in 1st place there is a prevalence of "(14) LPG storage" depots, in 2nd place "(22) chemical plants", in 3rd place the so-called "(39) Other activities, not specified", in 4th place the establishments of "(13) production, bottling and wholesale distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)" and in 5th place the depots of "(10) Storage of fuels (also for heating, retail sale etc.)". Together these constitute approximately 50% of the total establishments.
An analysis of establishment types provides important information on the industrial risk map in our country. A establishment's activity provides preliminary knowledge, albeit qualitatively, of the potential associated hazards. The new legislation divides Seveso establishments into 38 activity categories plus a thirty-ninth category (other) comprising all activities not included in the previous ones, based on the NACE code, a general classification system used to systematize and standardize the definitions of economic/industrial activities in the various European Union member states. By identifying a facility in one of the above categories, it is possible to preliminarily determine the associated risks. For example, storage facilities for fuels and liquefied gases and explosives and pyrotechnics are characterized by a prevalent risk of fire and/or explosion, with effects attributable, in the event of an accident, primarily to radiation and varying degrees of overpressure, and thus to structural damage to systems and buildings and physical harm to humans. Chemical plants, pharmaceutical production facilities, and pesticide, biocide, and fungicide storage facilities, like the above, combine the risk of fire and/or explosion with the risk of spreading toxic substances, even remotely, and therefore the possibility of immediate and/or delayed dangers to humans and the environment. Metal processing and treatment plants and waste storage, treatment, and disposal facilities, on the other hand, are typically characterized by a prevalent risk of environmental damage and, consequently, indirect harm to human health.
Estimate the prevalent nature of the risks to which humans, air, soil, subsoil, groundwater, and surface water are subject, in relation to the presence of certain types of establishments at risk of major accidents.
Legislative Decree 105/2015, art. 5, paragraph 3, Preparation of the National Inventory of Establishments Potential to Cause Major Accidents
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ISPRA (Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research)
MASE (Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security)
All information comes from the National Inventory of Establishments Potentially Causing Major Accidents, which ISPRA prepares and updates on behalf of MASE.
https://www.rischioindustriale.isprambiente.gov.it/seveso-query-105/Default.php
National
2019-2026
Number of establishments
All information is taken from the National Inventory of Establishments Potentially Causing Major Accidents, as required by Article 5, paragraph 3 of Legislative Decree 105/2015. The inventory allows for the extraction of an Excel file that, after various steps, allows for the extraction of the data needed to update the indicator.
As of June 30, 2026, the number of establishments is 972; those in the lower threshold are 467, while those in the upper threshold are 505.
There have been slight changes in the number and type of industries subject to the obligations imposed by the "Seveso" legislation. From 2019 to June 2026, the number of establishments has decreased from 991 to 972, a reduction of approximately 2%.
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Table 1: Seveso factories divided by type of activity (updated 06/30/2026) Fonte
ISPRA, National Inventory of Establishments at Risk of Major Accidents |
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Figure 1: Number of RIR establishments by type of activity and category to which they belong Fonte
ISPRA, National Inventory of Establishments at Risk of Major Accidents |
With regards to the typology of activities present on the national territory (Figure 1), there is a prevalence of "(14) LPG storage" depots and in 2nd place "(22) chemical plants". Followed in 3rd place by the so-called "(39) Other activities, not specified", in 4th place by the plants of "(13) production, bottling and wholesale distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)" and in 5th place by the depots of "(10) Storage of fuels (also for heating, retail sale etc.)". Together these constitute approximately 50% of the total number of establishments.
Following in 6th place are the depots for "(16) Storage and wholesale and retail distribution (excluding LPG)", in 7th place are the plants for "(07) treatment of metals by electrolytic or chemical processes", in 8th place are the plants for "(19) production of pharmaceutical products" and "(38) manufacture of chemical substances (not otherwise specified in the list)", in 9th place are the plants for "(11) production, destruction and storage of explosives". Following in 10th place are the plants for "(17) production and storage of pesticides, biocides and fungicides" and in 11th place those for "(20) storage, treatment and disposal of waste".
As can be seen from Table 1, the variations are minimal, therefore, it seems likely that since the entry into force of Legislative Decree 105/2015, after the transition from Legislative Decree 334/99 which led to a significant decrease in the number of plants subject to it, a condition of substantial stability has been observed, albeit with a slight reduction process over the years.