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The action of the State and the role played by public opinion, external influences and tangible necessities led French industry to be concerned about the environment. Nevertheless, inertia in public authorities as well as in the business community reduced the extent of the concern. A pragmatic policy rose in the 1960s along with institutional tools and relations with private companies. The free market approach was mixed with moderate State intervention. A ministry was established in the 1970s and rapidly became active; legislation was rejuvenated and liberalized. A systematic cooperation partially succeeded in involving industrialists who saw subjects not heavily concerned with their present situation. The 1980s saw serious accidents and the development of European legislation and was characterized by the inclusion of environmental issues in company management, which also had to cope with the problem of the management and transparency of information and of legal measures? implementation.