An appeal court has confirmed the ruling that imposed a partial closure on Amazon France based on the court's perception that it had failed to comply with health and safety obligations fully.
In a decision handed down on 24 April 2020, the Versailles Court of Appeal confirmed the 14 April ruling (see this article by Guillaume Bordier) that ordered Amazon France Logistique to assess the occupational risks inherent in the Covid-19 epidemic at all of its warehouses and to implement preventive measures, with the involvement of staff representatives.
In addition, pending the implementation of the measures described above, it ordered Amazon France Logistique, within 48 hours of being notified of the shutdown, to restrict the activity of its warehouses to the sole operations of receiving goods, preparing and dispatching orders for the following products:
- Hi-tech, IT, Office;
- 'Everything for animals' in the Home, DIY, Pet Store section;
- Health and body care, Men, Nutrition, Parapharmacy in the 'Beauty, Health and Wellness' section;
- Grocery, Beverages and Maintenance.
After this 48-hour period, for each receipt, preparation and/or dispatch of unauthorised products, a penalty payment of EUR 100,000 euros may be imposed for a maximum period of one month.
In response, Amazon has announced an extension of the temporary suspension of the activity of its French distribution centres.
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