In the event of exceptional circumstances and for the duration of such circumstances, the maximum working time defined in article L. 3121-20 may be exceeded by the administrative authority, under conditions determined by decree of the Conseil d’Etat, provided that this does not have the effect of increasing the working time to more than sixty hours per week. The Social and Economic Committee gives its opinion on requests for authorisation made in this respect. This opinion is forwarded to the Labour Inspectorate.