France prohibits canvassing, here is what this law will change for you
The text was approved by the deputies on May 14, then voted by the senators without opposition before being promulgated soon. There remains a probable examination by the Constitutional Council following the appeal by rebellious France.
A new law prohibits telephone canvassing
The legislation merges two proposals. The first comes from the deputy Thomas Cazenave (Renaissance) and aims for fraud with public aid. The second is carried by Senator Pierre-Jean Verzelen (the self-employed and territories) and concerns the canvassing. The Senate agreed to integrate its text by amendment to that of the Assembly. The proposal went from four to thirty-five articles.
The flagship measurement: the immediate ban on telephone canvaser for the energy renovation sectors and the adaptation of housing to disability and the elderly. From August 11, 2026, the prohibition will extend to everyone. Calls will only be authorized for current contracts or with the explicit consent of the consumer.
For the fight against fraud, the law allows administrations to suspend the aid for three months, renewable once, in the event of suspicion. The sanctions are also hardened: organized gang scams can be reclassified in crime with a sentence of fifteen years in prison and a fine of one million euros.
“In 2024, 20 billion euros in fraud were detected, a doubling in five years”underlined Amélie de Montchalin, Minister of Public Accounts, adding that it is necessary “Strong criminals where it hurts: wallet”.
Among the fraud targeted, those with energy savings certificates, the Maprimerénov ‘system, the CPF and aid for learning. According to Paul Midy, macronist deputy, the law would recover, every year, “Between 1 billion and 2 billion euros additional”.
The left believes that the text “has substantial advances” in the “Fight against the Far West of the overconsumption company” According to Delphine Batho, ecological deputy for Deux-Sèvres.
