What has changed
France’s anti-waste law for a circular economy ended the automatic printing and handing out of several documents. Those concerned:
- till receipts in shops and establishments open to the public;
- card payment receipts;
- receipts issued by machines;
- promotional tickets, discount vouchers and purchase vouchers.
What businesses must do
- Give the receipt if the customer asks for it, whatever the amount.
- Display a visible notice at the till stating that receipts are only given on request, except in the cases set out by law.
- Machines must allow the customer to request a receipt.
Businesses are not required to ask every customer whether they want their receipt.
The exceptions
Some receipts are still printed and handed out automatically, for example for durable goods covered by the legal guarantee of conformity (household appliances, IT, furniture…), receipts from weighing instruments, or cases set out by specific regulations. For cards, receipts for cancelled or declined transactions are still printed.
Receipts by email or text: mind the data
The receipt can be sent digitally, but that means collecting contact details: the customer doesn’t have to give them, and must be told how their data will be used, in line with the GDPR.
And with Lago?
With Lago, the receipt is printed when the customer asks, and its duplicate remains available at any time. Each receipt carries the required information and VAT by rate. Discover the Lago POS.
Sources (in French): Institut national de la consommation, DGCCRF. General information article.