The government published a decree in the Official Journal on Sunday setting out the terms for the liquidation of the National Consumer Institute (INC) and the search for a buyer for its famous monthly magazine.
Published on March 30, 2026 at 23:18, the decree states that the INC will be dissolved, and efforts will be made to find a new owner for the magazine “60 million consumers.” The Finance Act of 2026 required the INC to be liquidated by the end of March, potentially leading to the sale of the popular magazine to a private entity due to financial difficulties.
The decree, issued by the Ministry of Commerce, appoints a liquidator for a nine-month period starting from March 31, 2026. The liquidator is tasked with ensuring the continuity of the press activity of the establishment while seeking a private buyer. A three-month deadline, extendable if necessary, is set for finding a new owner. If a buyer cannot be found, the liquidator will terminate the press activity and separate the assets as part of the liquidation process.
Concerns have been raised by union representative Lionel Maugain about the fate of the roughly 60 employees of the magazine and the criteria for acquiring the title. He emphasized the need to maintain the independence and editorial line of the magazine to prevent it from becoming a mouthpiece for any particular opinion.
The Ministry of Commerce clarified that the decree marks the closure of the INC while emphasizing the importance of the process of finding a new owner for “60 million consumers.” The ministry will consider offers from private entities, existing associations, media companies, or the employees of the magazine for the takeover.
In December, a group of journalists, activists, and scientists criticized the decision to liquidate the INC and the impact on “60 million consumers.” The liquidation process of the institute, established in 1966 and transformed into a public industrial and commercial entity in 1990, is estimated to cost 8 million euros according to the government, while the SNME CFDT union estimates the cost at 11 million euros. Despite financial challenges in 2024, the INC managed to generate a profit in 2025, indicating a potential turnaround in its financial situation.
