The consumer has two years from delivery of the goods to obtain the implementation of the legal guarantee of conformity in the event of a lack of conformity. During this period, the consumer only has to establish the existence of the lack of conformity, not the date it appeared.

The legal guarantee of conformity entitles the consumer to repair or replacement of the goods within thirty days of the request, free of charge and without major inconvenience. Repair under this guarantee extends it by six months. If the consumer requests repair but the seller chooses replacement, the guarantee restarts for two years from replacement.

The consumer may obtain a price reduction by keeping the goods, or cancel the contract with a full refund against return of the goods, if: the seller refuses to repair or replace the goods; repair or replacement takes more than thirty days; repair or replacement causes a major inconvenience; or the lack of conformity persists despite the seller’s attempt to remedy it. The consumer may also obtain a price reduction or cancellation without first asking for repair or replacement if the lack of conformity is so serious that it justifies this. The contract cannot be cancelled if the lack of conformity is minor.

These rights are governed by Articles L217-1 to L217-32 of the French Consumer Code. A seller who obstructs the implementation of the legal guarantee of conformity in bad faith is liable to a civil fine of up to €300,000, which may be increased to 10% of average annual turnover (Article L241-5).

The consumer also benefits from the legal guarantee against hidden defects (Articles 1641 to 1649 of the French Civil Code) for two years from discovery of the defect. This guarantee gives the right to a price reduction if the goods are kept, or a full refund against their return.