The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control in France has issued official safety guidance to protect families as pupils return to school on Tuesday, September 1.
French consumer watchdog officials warned that everyday school supplies, including erasers, pencils, and pens, can expose young consumers to potentially harmful and dangerous substances through skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
The regulatory authority urged parents purchasing stationery in retail store aisles or on internet shopping websites to exercise increased vigilance to protect their children.
The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, widely known in France as the DGCCRF, operates as the national market surveillance and consumer protection authority under the Ministry of Economy. The government agency conducts regular product safety testing, monitors commercial practices, and enforces consumer law compliance across physical retail stores and digital platforms.
Private tutoring and contract warnings
As families prepare for the new academic year, the watchdog also advised parents considering private tutors to verify instructors' diplomas and professional references before hiring.
Consumer officials highlighted the need for caution when dealing with online tutoring platforms that advertise highly attractive promotional deals featuring slashed prices for a limited duration.
In addition, the authority warned consumers signing new contracts for school insurance, singing lessons, or gym memberships to compare competing market offers to understand real market pricing.
Officials emphasized that parents should thoroughly read the entire content of any contract, including the small print, before signing, in order to avoid unexpected obstacles when canceling later.
In France, the return to school following the summer holiday marks a major annual commercial period known as la rentrée. Primary school pupils, middle school students in collèges, and high school pupils in lycées across mainland France resume classes in September, driving heavy seasonal demand for educational materials, private academic support, and sports club enrollments.
School insurance legal requirements
Addressing administrative preparations, the Ministry of Economy issued a clarification regarding the legal framework governing school insurance contracts for pupils.
The ministry noted that school insurance is not legally required for mandatory school activities that take place during standard school hours, regardless of whether they occur inside or outside the educational establishment.
By contrast, insurance coverage is legally mandatory for optional school activities organized outside regular classroom schedules.
The Ministry of Economy added that the Ministry of National Education strongly recommends that parents obtain school insurance coverage for their children.
School insurance in France typically covers third-party civil liability for damage caused by a child and individual accident coverage for injuries suffered during school hours, canteen breaks, and school outings. Consumer advisers note that families should inspect existing comprehensive home insurance policies, which often include civil liability provisions, to determine if supplemental coverage is needed before purchasing new plans.
