This paper describes the background and contents of European Union legislat
ion in the area of prevention of major accidents in fixed industrial instal
lations, especially the famous 'Seveso Directive'. The legal basis, aims an
d obligations of both the old 'Seveso I Directive' (82/501/EEC) and the new
'Seveso II Directive' (96/82/EC) are explained in detail with regard to th
eir prescriptions on accident prevention. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Sc
ience Ltd. All rights reserved.