E-commerce store regulations
Online Store Terms and Conditions - France. Expansion into the French market.
France is the second-largest e-commerce market in Europe. In 2023, online sales there were expected to reach approximately €160 billion. It's no wonder that a growing number of Polish entrepreneurs are choosing to expand their sales in France. Key strengths of this market include a large number of active users, a relatively high average shopping cart value, and a significant share of purchases made via mobile devices.
What do you need to prepare before you start selling in France?
One of the fundamental elements is properly prepared legal documentation, compliant with French law and EU regulations. The primary document regulating consumer rights in France is the Consumer Code.
Terms and conditions of sale in an online store on the French market
In many cases, the rules that must be precisely defined in the regulations and that must be met under French law will depend on the industry the business operates in. For example, under French law, bicycle manufacturers and importers are obligated to ensure the availability of spare parts for their products for a period of five years after their sale.
Another key element is the Privacy Policy ( Politique de Confidentialité ). It should be transparent and GDPR-compliant. It must include the administrator's details, the legal basis for data processing, user rights, and information about cookies and analytical tools. In this regard, it is worth following the recommendations of the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés), which is discussed in more detail below.
Sellers are also required to inform customers about their right to withdraw from the contract. French law stipulates a 14-day returns period. A sample withdrawal form must be provided and the procedures and potential costs for returns must be clearly described.
Every commercial website operating in the French market must also include a " Mentions légales " section, or legal notices (comparable to the German Imprint). This section includes the company's full name and registration details (such as SIRET, RCS, EU VAT), contact details, and—optionally—information about the hosting provider or customer service.
It's important to remember the regulations regarding marketing consent and cookies. According to recommendations established by the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés, the user must actively consent to marketing cookies (so-called opt-in). The cookie banner should include options to choose and reject consent.
Who monitors compliance with regulations?
- CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés) – the equivalent of the Polish Office for Personal Data Protection. CNIL oversees compliance with personal data protection regulations.
- DGCCRF (Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes) – the French equivalent of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection. This institution monitors compliance with consumer rights, analyzes commercial practices, and the procedures for reporting returns and complaints.
- Consumer associations – operate at the national level and can mediate disputes between consumers and businesses, as well as bring class action lawsuits in the event of violation of consumer interests.
Non-compliance with regulations carries not only the risk of financial penalties, but also a negative impact on brand reputation, consumer complaints and competitive action.
Professional legal support
France is a market with enormous sales potential, but also regulatory complexity. To legally and effectively run an e-commerce business, it's essential to adapt your online store to local regulations. Professionally preparing documents and implementing solutions compliant with French law minimizes legal risk and increases your chances of success.
If you're planning to expand in France, contact us. We'll prepare your company for safe expansion and ensure you comply with applicable regulations.
Our law firm offers comprehensive legal support for e-commerce companies planning to expand into the French market. As part of our service, we prepare legal documentation in French, including CGV, privacy policies, and cookie consent forms. We also conduct website audits for compliance with regulations. We also advise on billing, marketing campaigns, and influencer collaborations, and prepare related documents.
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