---
title: "Product Compliance and Safety"
id: "1995"
type: "expertise"
slug: "product-compliance-and-safety"
published_at: "2026-01-23T15:15:46+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-07-23T09:21:11+00:00"
url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/product-compliance-and-safety/"
markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/product-compliance-and-safety.md"
excerpt: "Ensuring product compliance and safety across all markets Bringing products to market requires strict adherence to safety standards, health requirements, and evolving regulatory obligations. Companies must anticipate non-compliance risks, structure effective monitoring processes, and act swiftly in the event of..."
taxonomy_language:
  - "English"
taxonomy_post_translations:
  - "pll_697390a2747eb"
taxonomy_tax_expertise:
  - "Product Compliance and Safety"
taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise:
  - "Regulatory"
---

## Ensuring product compliance *and safety across all markets*

Bringing products to market requires strict adherence to safety standards, health requirements, and evolving regulatory obligations. Companies must anticipate non-compliance risks, structure effective monitoring processes, and act swiftly in the event of an alert or recall. Any failure can result in administrative, criminal, and civil sanctions, as well as lasting damage to consumer and distributor confidence.

We advise manufacturers, importers, and distributors in building their product compliance frameworks. We analyze applicable obligations across sectors such as food and beverage, cosmetics, medical devices, toys, electronics, and automotive. We design internal quality control and traceability procedures and formalize crisis management protocols. We also assist clients during inspections, enforcement actions, and disputes with supervisory authorities, including the DGCCRF, ANSM, and ANSES.

Our clients include multinational industrial groups, innovative SMEs, distribution platforms, and e-commerce actors that must ensure product safety while maintaining commercial agility and a strong capacity for innovation.

## *our* Capabilities

### (01) Regulatory Compliance

We assist companies in identifying and applying the technical, health, and safety standards applicable to their products. Our work includes analyzing European and national regulations, determining certification, labeling, and technical documentation requirements, and drafting internal procedures.

We also advise on the designation of regulatory compliance officers, managing interactions with notified bodies, and implementing regulatory monitoring systems. Anticipating regulatory developments enables companies to adapt their product lines without operational disruption or loss of competitiveness.

Nous conseillons également sur la désignation des responsables réglementaires, la gestion des interfaces avec les organismes notifiés et la mise en place de systèmes de veille normative. L’anticipation des évolutions réglementaires doit permettre d’adapter les gammes de produits sans rupture d’activité ni perte de compétitivité.

### (02) Gestion des alertes et rappels produits

Lorsqu’un défaut, un risque ou une non-conformité est identifié, la rapidité et la coordination des décisions conditionnent l’issue de la crise. Nous intervenons dès la détection du problème pour évaluer l’obligation de rappel, définir le périmètre des produits concernés, rédiger les communications aux autorités et aux consommateurs, et organiser le retrait ou la correction.

Nous assurons l’interface avec les autorités de surveillance, négocions les modalités d’exécution et défendons les intérêts de nos clients en cas de sanction administrative ou pénale. Une gestion maîtrisée du rappel limite l’impact réputationnel et préserve la relation commerciale.

### (03) Alert Management and Product Recalls

When a defect, risk, or non-compliance issue is identified, the speed and coordination of decision-making determine the outcome of the crisis. We intervene as soon as the issue is detected to assess recall obligations, define the scope of affected products, draft communications to authorities and consumers, and organize withdrawal or corrective measures.

We serve as the interface with supervisory authorities, negotiate implementation terms, and defend our clients’ interests in the event of administrative or criminal sanctions. Effective recall management limits reputational damage and preserves commercial relationships.

Collective excellence

at the service of the

*highest standards.*

Team

[Bernard Cazeneuve ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/bernard-cazeneuve/)

[Charles Hugo ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/charles-hugo/)

Précédent     Suivant

## Contact Us

## *our*References

Product Compliance and Safety

#### Food Manufacturer – Enzyme Authorization and Food Additives

Advice to a food industry manufacturer on the risks associated with using an enzyme not yet authorized by French health authorities (ANSES) in an industrial process for manufacturing a food product. Analysis of the application of French regulations governing the conditions for authorization and use of processing aids that may…

Product Compliance and Safety

#### E-Commerce Platform – DGCCRF Inspections and Product Recalls

Advice to an international e-commerce platform in connection with various inspections conducted by the DGCCRF (French consumer protection authority). The firm analyzed the authorities’ requests concerning the alleged compliance of certain products (jewelry, cosmetics), advised the client on compliance strategies, coordinated product recalls from the French market, and managed communications…

Product Compliance and Safety

#### Technology Multinational – DGCCRF and Competition Authority Investigations

Assistance to the French subsidiary of a US technology multinational in connection with a DGCCRF investigation concerning payment terms with suppliers, as well as a French Competition Authority investigation into the innovative payment services sector.

*Rankings* & Recognitions

m

- (01)Legal 500 2025 – Global Compliance
- (02)Option Droit & Affaires 2025 – France Litigation
- (03)Legal 500 2024 – Global Compliance

[More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=product-compliance-and-safety)

## *FAQ*

### (01) How does a law firm specializing in product compliance support your regulatory compliance?

Placing consumer products on the market requires compliance with strict and evolving safety standards, health requirements and regulatory obligations. Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety (GPSR), applicable since 13 December 2024, replaced Directive 2001/95/EC and strengthened the obligations of manufacturers, importers, distributors and online marketplace providers regarding traceability, risk assessment and consumer information. We analyse the obligations applicable to each sector (food, cosmetics, medical devices, toys, electronics, automotive), structure internal quality control procedures and formalize compliance protocols.

### (02) How should you handle a safety alert, product recall or Safety Gate notification?

When a product poses a risk to consumer health or safety, the speed and rigour of the response determines the company’s legal and reputational exposure. Regulation 2023/988 requires economic operators to notify risks to authorities via the Safety Business Gateway portal and to directly inform identifiable consumers through all available channels. We advise manufacturers and distributors on managing alerts and recalls: risk qualification, notification to authorities (DGCCRF, European Commission), drafting recall notices, logistics coordination and crisis communications. Each protocol is designed to limit harm while meeting regulatory obligations.

### (03) How can you defend your company during an inspection or dispute with product safety authorities?

DGCCRF inspections, compliance injunctions, administrative sanctions and criminal proceedings relating to product safety expose companies to significant financial and reputational consequences. We assist clients from the inspection stage: support during on-site visits, responses to reports, challenging injunctions and representation before administrative and criminal courts. Upstream, we audit practices to identify non-compliance and implement corrective measures before an inspection occurs. Risk anticipation remains the best protection.

### (04) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for product safety and compliance in France?

Manufacturers, importers and distributors in the food, cosmetics, medical devices, toys, electronics and automotive sectors entrust us with securing their practices. We intervene from compliance framework design through crisis management, including regulatory audits and contentious defence before supervisory authorities. Each engagement draws on deep knowledge of sector-specific regulations and the ability to coordinate legal, operational and communications dimensions within often very tight timelines.