The answer to the question of whether or not asbestos is still used in France is a complicated one. Asbestos was widely used in construction and other industries in France for many decades, and it is estimated that over 800,000 tonnes of asbestos were imported into the country between 1950 and 1997. Despite this, use of asbestos has been severely restricted in France since 1998, when the Environmental Code was amended to prohibit the production, import, sale, and use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products.
The complete ban was further reinforced in 2016, when the French Senate voted to completely ban the use of asbestos in the country. This ban applies to all uses of asbestos, including in construction, renovation, and insulation. As such, it is now illegal to use asbestos in any form in France, and the import, sale, and use of asbestos-containing products is strictly prohibited.
Despite this, there are still some uses of asbestos in France. Specifically, there are some asbestos-containing materials that are still permitted to be used in certain situations. These include the use of asbestos-containing products in certain industrial processes, such as the production of cement, and the use of asbestos in brake pads and clutches. Furthermore, asbestos-containing materials are still allowed to be used in certain cases in the maintenance of existing buildings, provided that the asbestos is contained and does not pose a risk of inhalation.
Overall, it is safe to say that asbestos is no longer widely used in France. Its use is now strictly regulated and prohibited in most cases, and the import, sale, and use of asbestos-containing products is illegal. However, there are still some limited uses of asbestos that are permitted in certain cases.