EU member state. Compliance scores reflect the regulatory advantages of EU single market membership and are not directly comparable to non-EU sourcing countries.
weighted score 1.3 · nine dimensions
Country Risk Profile
France
Sourcing risk, regulatory exposure and audit intelligence for France-origin supply chains.
Forced & child labour
2
Labour trafficking documented in agriculture (vineyards, seasonal work). 750 victims assisted per TIP Report 2025. GRETA concerns about recruitment companies. Low risk relative to global peers but not negligible.
Worker rights & FOA
2
All ILO fundamental conventions ratified. Strong collective bargaining. ITUC 2 — crackdowns on striking workers documented. Robust statutory protections overall.
OHS & audit transparency
1
EU-harmonised occupational health and safety framework. Independent audit access unrestricted. Strong labour inspectorate (Inspection du travail).
Food & product safety
1
Full EU food safety acquis (RASFF participation). DGCCRF (consumer protection authority) actively enforces product safety standards.
Environmental & regulatory
1
Full EU environmental acquis. Strong domestic environmental enforcement. Loi de vigilance adds supply chain due diligence requirements.
Governance & anti-corruption
2
TI CPI 2025: 66. Agence Française Anticorruption (AFA) active. Sapin II law (2016) imposes anti-corruption compliance obligations on large companies.
Tariff & preferential access
1
EU single market — zero tariffs on intra-EU trade. EU FTA network applies. Full customs union membership.
Non-tariff barriers
1
Harmonised EU product standards. CE marking. Mutual recognition. No additional non-tariff barriers for intra-EU sourcing.
Supply chain traceability
1
Strong traceability infrastructure. EU-harmonised product labelling and origin marking requirements. Loi de vigilance requires supply chain mapping for large companies.
Labour & Social Risk
Labour & Social Risk
- Forced labour risk
- Labour trafficking documented in agriculture — particularly Bordeaux and Champagne vineyards. TIP Report 2025: approximately 750 labour exploitation victims assisted annually. GRETA has raised concerns about labour recruitment companies operating in France.
- Sectors at elevated risk
- Agriculture (viticulture, seasonal harvesting), construction, domestic work, and hospitality sectors show elevated labour exploitation risk, primarily affecting migrant workers.
- Worker rights framework
- Strong statutory labour protections. 35-hour working week. Extensive collective bargaining coverage. ITUC rating 2 — repeated concerns over crackdowns on striking workers, including use of force against trade union demonstrations.
- ILO conventions
- France has ratified all eight ILO fundamental conventions including C087 (Freedom of Association) and C098 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining).
- Labour cost
- Hourly labour cost approximately €44.30 — above EU average. High social security contributions add to total cost of employment.
EU Regulatory Exposure
EU Regulatory Exposure
- Single market
- Full EU single market membership. No tariffs on intra-EU trade. Harmonised product standards (CE marking). Mutual recognition of conformity assessment.
- EUDR exposure
- As an EU member state, French exporters operate under the same EUDR framework. France is the largest EU agricultural producer — domestic forestry and agricultural production subject to the regulation but predominantly low-risk.
- EU Forced Labour Regulation
- Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 applies from December 2027. French supply chains benefit from strong domestic enforcement but must demonstrate due diligence for upstream imports.
- Loi de vigilance
- France’s 2017 Duty of Vigilance Law (Loi de vigilance) requires large companies to establish and implement vigilance plans covering human rights and environmental risks across their supply chains. Pioneering legislation that preceded the EU CS3D directive.
- CBAM
- Not applicable to intra-EU trade. French manufacturers exporting outside the EU may face CBAM-equivalent measures in other jurisdictions.
Logistics & Supply Chain
Logistics & Supply Chain
- Primary trade corridor
- Intra-EU road, rail, and short-sea shipping. Le Havre and Marseille-Fos are primary deep-sea ports.
- Key infrastructure
- Le Havre (Atlantic gateway), Marseille-Fos (Mediterranean), extensive motorway and TGV rail network. Charles de Gaulle airport is Europe’s second-largest cargo hub.
- Intra-EU transit
- Road freight to major EU markets: Germany 1–2 days, Benelux 1 day, Italy 1–2 days, Spain 2 days. No customs formalities for intra-EU movement.
- Scope 3 relevance
- Intra-EU sourcing from France generates minimal transport-related Scope 3 emissions relative to intercontinental supply chains.