Fake “Made in France” products: one company in 10 inspected sanctioned by the DGCCRF in 2024

The unjustified use of mentions of French origin on non-food products gave rise to sanctions for 9% of establishments controlled in 2024 by the Fraud Repression Agency (DGCCRF), the latter indicated this Friday, November 13. The DGCCRF, which carried out checks in 1,271 establishments (manufacturers, importers and especially distributors), specifies that “after consolidation of the figures in 2026, 86 administrative injunctions and 26 criminal reports were established following the investigation”.

It recalls the need to be able to justify a “Made in France” or “Made in France” label. “A French company, a supplier established in France or an operation carried out in the territory are not sufficient, on their own, to establish the French origin of a product,” recalls the control body. “Thus, the simple fact of modifying packaging, packaging a product or putting it in a bottle in France does not allow you to claim French manufacturing,” she emphasizes.

Misuse of the French flag

The Repression of Fraud cites in particular the example of a mattress seller, in Brittany, who claimed “French and Vosges manufacturing” but only had, to support it, a purchase invoice from a Portuguese company”.

The DGCCRF also notes that a misleading practice does not necessarily involve the use of the words “Made in France” or “Fabriqué in France”. Consumers can also be led to believe that “the product itself is made in France” through the association of different presentation elements: the use of a “French flag”, “blue-white-red colors, (a) map of France, (a) rooster” but also expressions such as “French company”, “French brand” or even “French creation”.

If “the anomalies remain in the minority”, “the multiplication of references to a French or local origin shows that the subject must remain subject to particular vigilance”, estimates the DGCCRF which renewed its investigation in 2025.