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Because they are generally recognized as services of general economic interest (SGEI) rather than as services of general non-economic interest, social and medico-social interventions are subject to the principles of European and French competition law. However, the scope of this legislation in their regard is still limited, given the many existing derogations, particularly those in favor of SGEIs. Current developments (New Public Management, mergers, offensives by profit-making organizations) require social and medico-social organizations to be aware of this legal framework in order to improve access to public funding and to guarantee and promote their social work activities that are often unfamiliar to administrations and judges. If they fail to do so, these authorities may sanction their funding, cooperation, and partnership procedures in the name of rules about competition, despite their being essential to health and social action adapted to the needs of the beneficiaries.