2017/0397/F
EC/EFTA
FR France
  • T10T - Transport aérien
2017-11-23
2017-08-29
Civilian unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) weighing more than 800 g

Decree on the capacity limitation of civilian unmanned aerial vehicles

Due to the increase in the number of unlawful flights over sensitive French sites by drones since autumn 2014, two members of the French Parliament tabled a draft law in spring 2016 on improving safety measures when using civilian drones. This draft followed, in particular, the Government report to Parliament entitled ‘The rise in civilian aerial drones in France: challenges and possible responses from the State’, published in October 2015.

The law was finally adopted by the French Parliament and enacted on 24 October 2016 (Law No 2016-1428). It imposes new obligations on drone pilots, owners or manufacturers of civilian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These are intended to prevent incidents posing a risk to State security, and make remote pilots accountable.

The aim of the draft decree notified by France to the Member States and European Commission under Directive (EU) 2015/1535 is to implement the obligation stipulating that civilian UAvs exceeding a threshold laid down by way of a decree must be fitted with capacity limitation devices.

The draft decree also describes the authorised exemptions, penalties in the event that the required device has not been fitted, and applicability overseas.

The weight threshold from which this obligation shall apply is laid down by way of a decree at 800 g.