French Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, during the press conference organized in Paris by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, February 21, 2024 (POOL/AFP/ALAIN JOCARD)
Two European mass distribution purchasing centers which did not respect French law are targeted by “pre-fines” amounting to several “tens of millions of euros”, which they have two months to contest , announced Wednesday the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire.
Distributors have set up purchasing and service centers in Europe in recent years to negotiate with their largest industrial suppliers, often multinationals. Some are accused of not respecting French legislation.
“European purchasing centers must respect national laws,” said Bruno Le Maire on Wednesday, during the press conference organized by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. However, “two power plants did not comply with the provisions of the law” and “pre-fines” were issued on February 19 “for amounts amounting to tens of millions of euros”.
These two centers have two months to put forward their contradictory arguments, at the end of which the sanctions will be “final”.
In addition, Bruno Le Maire announced that 1,000 establishments were checked on the French origin of the products sold, and 372 were in non-compliance, “not respecting the Origine France label” or making “deception on this merchandise” . The first reports should be issued “in the coming days”, specified Bruno Le Maire.
“Not respecting” the rules regarding displays of French origin is considered “a misleading commercial practice punishable by a criminal sanction” of up to 10% of turnover, recalled Bruno Le Maire.
The minister indicated that 150 agents from the Fraud Repression (DGCCRF), a department of Bercy, were mobilized to control large manufacturers and supermarkets.
On this date, 1,400 checks were carried out on the 200 largest manufacturers and the 5 major distributors, indicated Bruno Le Maire, referring to “150 cases of non-compliance, in particular for delays in signing contracts”. Pre-sanctions have been notified.
© 2024 AFP
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