A specimen is a sample or small quantity of a product offered to the consumer so they can assess its quality. This allows the product to be presented to the consumer without the price being a barrier to purchase. In accordance with Article R. 121-10 of the French Consumer Code, the items mentioned in Article R. 121-8 must be clearly and permanently marked with the name, business name, logo, or acronym of the person involved in the advertising campaign. The samples mentioned in the same article must bear the statement: “Free sample, not for sale,” in a legible, permanent, and visible manner during presentation.

Article R. 121-8, as amended by the decree of February 2, 2001, specifies that the maximum value of the samples, objects, and services referred to in the second paragraph of Article L. 121-35 is calculated based on the net selling price, including all taxes, of the products, goods, or services concerned by the sale, under the following conditions: 7% of the net price defined above if it is less than or equal to 80 euros; 5 euros plus 1% of the net price defined above if it is greater than 80 euros. This value must in no case exceed 60 euros and is understood to be, including all taxes, ex-works for objects manufactured in France, and free on board and cleared through customs at the French border for imported objects.