SAINT_GOBAIN_REGISTRATION_DOCUMENT_2017

Risks and control Risk factors

Legal risks 1.4

Risk of regulatory changes 1.4.1 The Group is not subject to any specific regulations that could have an impact on its financial position, although the Group companies that operate industrial sites are generally required to comply with the specific national laws and regulations of the country where such sites are located. In France, for example, Group plants are subject to the laws and regulations applicable to classified sites. Laws and regulations applicable to the Group and to the materials and products it uses in its activities may change in a manner that may be unfavorable to the Group. The introduction of stricter regulations or more diligent enforcement of existing regulations may affect the conditions under which the Group operates its businesses, which could increase its operating expenses, limit the scope of its activities or act as a brake on business growth. More generally, the Group cannot guarantee that there will be no rapid or significant regulatory changes in the future with a material adverse effect on its business, financial position or results. Risks associated with legal and 1.4.2 administrative procedures a) Asbestos-related litigation Current legal actions related to asbestos are described below. Asbestos-related litigation in France Inexcusable fault lawsuits In France, 10 further individual lawsuits were filed in 2017 by former employees (or persons claiming through them) of Everite and Saint-Gobain PAM which in the past had carried out fiber-cement operations for asbestos-related occupational diseases they have or had. As at December 31, 2017, a total of 815 such lawsuits had been issued against the two companies since 1996 with the aim of obtaining supplementary compensation over and above the amounts paid by the French Social Security authorities in this respect. As of December 31, 2017, 775 of these 815 lawsuits had been completed in terms of liability and quantum as well as in terms of liability for the payment of compensation. In all these cases, the employers were held liable on the grounds of “inexcusable fault”. Compensation paid by Everite and Saint-Gobain PAM in settlement of these lawsuits totaled approximately €3 million. Concerning the 40 lawsuits outstanding against Everite and Saint-Gobain PAM at December 31, 2017, seven have been completed in terms of both liability and quantum, but liability for the payment of compensation has not yet been assigned.

Out of the 33 remaining lawsuits, at December 31, 2017 the procedures relating to the merits of 28 cases were at different stages, with two in the process of being investigated by the French Social Security authorities and 26 pending before the Social Security Courts or the Appeal Courts. The last five actions have been canceled but the plaintiffs may request their restoration at any time within a two-year period following their cancellation. In addition, as of December 31, 2017, 228 similar suits had been filed since the outset of the litigation by current or former employees, or persons claiming through them, of 13 other French companies of the Group (excluding suits against companies that are no longer part of the Group), in particular by current or former employees who used equipment containing asbestos to protect themselves against heat from furnaces. As of December 31, 2017, 191 lawsuits had been completed. In 110 of these cases, the employer was held liable for “inexcusable fault”. The compensation definitively paid by these companies totaled approximately €6.1 million. With regard to the 37 suits outstanding at December 31, 2017, two cases were still at the investigation stage by the French Social Security authorities, 34 were being investigated – including 24 pending before the Social Security Courts, eight before the Appeal Courts and two before the Civil Supreme Court (Court of Cassation). Lastly, one suit has been canceled but the plaintiff may request its restoration at any time within a two-year period following its cancellation. Anxiety claims Eight of the Group’s French companies, including six that operate or have operated facilities classified as containing asbestos, are subject of damages claims that are different from those described above. “Facilities classified as containing asbestos” are defined as industrials facilities, that have been closed or are still operating, which previously manufactured materials containing asbestos or used protection and insulation equipment containing asbestos and are included by ministerial decree on the official list of facilities whose current or former employees are entitled to the early-retirement benefits paid to asbestos workers (ACAATA). At December 31, 2017, a total of 822 suits had been brought by current or former employees claiming compensation for prejudice of anxiety suffered as a result of their alleged exposure to asbestos. None of these plaintiffs were suffering from an asbestos-related disease and some of them were not receiving the ACAATA benefit. Of these 822 suits, 693 have been terminated. Three plaintiffs had their claims dismissed, while for the 690 others who were recognized as having been exposed to an asbestos risk, the total amount of compensation is €7.6 million at December 31, 2017. Of the remaining 129 suits, two are pending before the competent Appeal Courts and 116 have been canceled but the plaintiffs may request their restoration at any time during a period of two years following their cancellation. Finally, six suits have been dismissed by the competent labor tribunals and five plaintiffs have withdrawn the action they initiated.

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