As the “Made in France” label celebrates its first anniversary, an investigation by the DGCCRF has just revealed 15% of anomalies among the professionals inspected. The Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Control has issued 87 warnings, 54 compliance injunctions, 2 administrative reports and 14 criminal reports for misleading commercial practices concerning the origin of products.
“In the context of the relocation of French industry, more and more industrial products claim to be made in France. Consumers are also increasingly sensitive to the origin of the products they buy. This is why the action of the DGCCRF is essential to protect consumers from misleading claims and companies committed to French production,” explains the DGCCRF in its press release.
In 2021, its services carried out a national survey of 1,013 establishments, including online sales sites, to verify the veracity of claims on the origin of non-food products, whether national (“Made in France”) or more local (“Made in Brittany” for example).
This investigation targeted several sectors, from jewellery to eyewear, including cosmetics, textiles, furniture, but also masks and hydroalcoholic gels, given the context of the health crisis.
15% of anomalies
Where anomalies were found, appropriate follow-up was initiated. The DGCCRF gives some examples.
• During an inspection of a mattress sales stand at a market, the investigators found mattresses for sale accompanied by flyers or an advertising panel bearing the words “French made/designed” or “European made”, with a representation of France using the blue-white-red colours. This trader was unable to justify either the design or the French manufacture …
