In short. Public-service references in covered locksmith advertising require prior authorisation from the service concerned under Article L731-2.
Definition: A locksmith's commercial website needs prior authorisation to use references to a French municipal public service. Article L731-1 of the Intellectual Property Code defines the covered advertising; Article L731-2 sets the authorisation requirements.
As of 17 October 2026, the DGCCRF's home-repair guidance warns against unauthorised use of a public service's image, contact details, endorsement or other references in commercial communications. The DGCCRF is France's Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. Its guidance also warns that repair flyers often misuse official colours or logos to deceive consumers.
Key facts
- Article L731-1 covers advertising in any medium and commercial practices concerning building and household-equipment repair and maintenance.
- The order of 17 November 2014 expressly includes locksmith work, including door-closer replacement, in its annex.
- Article L731-2 requires prior authorisation from the public service concerned for drawings, contact details, references and other distinctive signs relating to it.
- Article L731-3 sets a maximum administrative fine of EUR 100,000 for a breach of that authorisation rule.
Does the rule cover a commercial website?
Article L731-1 uses the wording “quel qu'en soit le support”, meaning whatever the advertising medium. A commercial locksmith website therefore falls within the rule's medium-independent scope when it advertises covered repair services. The DGCCRF guidance describes the restriction as applying to any publication or commercial communication.
Article 1 of the order of 17 November 2014 applies the provisions to the repair and maintenance services listed in its annex. It also includes replacement or addition of parts following those services. The annex names locksmith work and maintenance and repair of home or residence access-control systems.
What authorisation does a municipal reference require?
Under Article L731-2, the public service concerned must authorise the use beforehand. The statutory wording extends beyond logos to contact details and references.
The service must receive a copy of the material intended for publication before issuing authorisation. Authorisation must be justified by the public interest and can last at most one year, with renewal under the same formalities. The service can withdraw it whenever a required condition ceases to be met; withdrawal takes effect ten days after notification.
What penalty applies to unauthorised references?
Article L731-3 makes breaches of Article L731-2 subject to an administrative fine of up to EUR 100,000. The authority responsible for competition and consumer affairs imposes the fine under the Consumer Code procedure specified in that article.
Related terms
- Which prices must a French home-repair business publish online?
- Which urgent repairs fall outside the French withdrawal right?
FAQ
Can I use a municipal service's contact details without its logo?
Article L731-2 expressly includes contact details among the uses requiring prior authorisation. Removing a logo leaves that requirement applicable to the contact details.
Can I rely indefinitely on an earlier authorisation?
Article L731-2 limits authorisation to one year at most. Renewal follows the same formalities, including presentation of the publication material.
Does Article L731-1 itself contain the fine?
Article L731-1 defines the scope of the chapter. Article L731-2 contains the authorisation requirements, and Article L731-3 provides the maximum administrative fine.
Sources
- DGCCRF, "Plomberie, serrurerie, chauffage… choisir le bon professionnel pour un dépannage à domicile", 1 July 2025
- Légifrance, Intellectual Property Code, Article L731-1, effective 19 March 2014
- Légifrance, order of 17 November 2014, Article 1 and annex
- Légifrance, Intellectual Property Code, Article L731-2, effective 19 March 2014
- Légifrance, Intellectual Property Code, Article L731-3, effective 1 July 2016
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