Current Legislation

The Groupe Audiovisuel CinemaGAC website is exclusively reserved for professionals working in audiovisual and film production companies.
The information published on this site respects the obligation of the right of non-disclosure of all confidential information about public authority institutions.
The Groupe Audiovisuel Cinema – GAC is required to abide by specific legislation and regulations.
The play vehicles, equipment, accessories, replicas, and regulated insignia are the property of companies specialized and authorized within the strict framework of professional rental to artistic audiovisual and film production companies.
Similarly, equipment and accessories used by authorized companies may not be sold to third parties.
The sale of used uniform items or equipment, and equipment in the State endowment intended for destruction may not be sold.
The Groupe Audiovisuel Cinema does not use any equipment or accessories classified under the “material or equipment in the State endowment that cannot be sold to third parties” category.

Wearing unit and administration uniforms on film sets

The rental of uniform and equipment items is reserved exclusively for rental companies holding an authorization issued by DGPN (General Directorate of the National Police) and the DGGN (General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie).
Only these authorized companies can acquire, store, and use uniform effects and equipment regulated by the public authority within the strict framework of costume rental for audiovisual and film productions.
The authorizations granted to rental companies are renewed each year by DGPN and DGGN.
These authorizations may under no circumstances be granted to:

  • A third person.
  • A group of people.
  • An association.

The use of these uniform and equipment items is the sole responsibility of the rental companies and must be carried out in accordance with the company’s status, in particular in compliance with Articles 433-14, 433-15 and R 643-1 of the penal code, which penalize the illegal use of items regulated by the public authority :

  • Illegal wearing of uniforms
  • Usurpation of power
  • Usurpation of signs restricted to the public authority
  • Appropriation of status
  • Incitement to the illegal wearing of uniforms (in particular through social networks, etc.)
  • Sale or fencing: the usual or occasional sale of new or used uniform effects, badges, or insignia is prohibited.


Article 433-14

Modified by LAW N°2013-711 of August 5, 2013 – art. 12 (V)

Shall be punished by one year’s imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros any person that publicly and without right :

  1. Wears a costume, uniform, or decoration regulated by the public authority;
  2. Uses a document attesting a professional capacity or a badge regulated by the public authority;
  3. Uses a vehicle whose external signs are identical to those used by national police officers or the military.


Article 433-15

Modified by LAW N°2013-711 of August 5, 2013 – art. 12 (V)
Any person that publicly wears a costume or a uniform, use a vehicle or an insignia or document that presents, with the costume, uniforms, vehicles, insignia or distinctive documents restricted to national police or military officers, a similarity likely to cause a misunderstanding in the public mind shall be punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of 7,500 euros.


Article 113-21

Consolidated version of March 24, 2017
Outside the normal circumstances of the performance of their duties, active personnel may wear the uniform only in the cases and under the conditions laid down in the internal regulations, or after express authorization of their head of department.


Article 113-18

The usual or occasional sale of new or used uniform effects, badges, or insignia to persons from outside the administration, in particular, is prohibited.


Article R643-1

Modified by Decree N°2010-671 of June 18, 2010 – art. 4
Except in the cases provided for in article 433-15, the fine for third class contraventions shall be imposed on those publicly wearing a costume or uniform, or using a badge or document bearing a similarity with suits, uniforms, badges, or documents regulated by the public authority that is likely to cause misunderstanding in the public mind.
Persons guilty of the offense provided for in this article shall also be liable to the additional penalty of confiscation of the thing used or intended to be used to commit the offense, or of the proceeds thereof.
Legal persons found criminally liable, under the conditions provided for in Article 121-2, for the offense defined in this Article shall be liable, in addition to the fine imposed in accordance with the procedures provided for in Article 131-41, to the penalty of confiscation of the thing which was used or intended to be used to commit the offense, or of the proceeds thereof.


Imitation weapons (Airsoft)

Decree N°99-240 of March 24, 1999:

The Groupe Audiovisuel Cinema – GAC imitation weapons are greater than 0.08 joules and less than or equal to 2 joules.


Practice Weapons (Blank cartridge fire only)

Law N°2012-304 of March 6, 2012 :

The activity is subject to article N°26 of decree N°2013-700 of July 30, 2013, established by the Ministry of Defense.
The use of practice weapons is the property of companies specialized in armory and authorized within the strict framework of professional rental to audiovisual, artistic, and film production companies.
Any blank ammunition is dangerous and must be handled with care by authorized persons in accordance with strict safety rules.
The production is obliged to take charge of the insurance of persons and rented equipment in the event of an accident or theft.
Security and movement of pay vehicles
Due to their external aspect, the movement of play vehicles is carried out in accordance with the standards imposed by law.
In order not to compromise the production, no external and distinctive insignia regulated by the public authority is authorized during the various movements for a potential shooting.

The Groupe Audiovisuel Cinema – GAC has, therefore, set up a code of ethics that incorporates these legal requirements.

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