Quick answer

Since 1 June 2025, every product sold in Quebec must carry French on its label, packaging, instructions and warranty, and many English-only trademarks have lost their exemption. Pre-June 2025 stock with non-compliant trademarks can be sold only until 1 June 2027. Business fines start at $3,000 per offence.

These rules come from Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, and the amended Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business. They apply to any business selling products or services in Quebec, wherever it is based.

French must be available on:

Labels & packaging
Instructions & warranties
Catalogues & websites
Software
Standard contracts
Public signs

What a Compliant Quebec Label Looks Like

The same product, before and after Bill 96. French comes first and is at least as prominent as English.

✗ Not compliant: English only

SuperGlow

Face Cream

Made in USA

Warning: Keep out of reach of children

50 mL

✓ Compliant: French first

SuperGlow

Crème pour le visage

Face Cream

Fabriqué aux États-Unis / Made in USA

Avertissement : Garder hors de la portée des enfants
Warning: Keep out of reach of children

50 mL

Bill 96 Key Dates (2022–2027)

The most important date still ahead is 1 June 2027, when the trademark grace period ends. A regulatory watch process helps you catch dates like these early.

1 June 2022

Bill 96 receives assent and amends the Charter of the French Language.

1 June 2023

French versions of contracts of adhesion must be provided first.

26 June 2024

Cut-off for French trademark filings used in the transition rule.

1 June 2025

New labelling and trademark rules take effect.

1 June 2027 · Upcoming deadline

Transition ends. Pre-June 2025 stock with non-compliant trademarks can no longer be sold.

What Does Quebec’s Charter of the French Language Require?

Every inscription on a product sold in Quebec must be in French (section 51 of the Charter). “Product” includes its container, wrapping and anything supplied with it, such as directions for use and warranty certificates (Regulation, s. 27.1).

  • ✓French is mandatory on all product inscriptions.
  • ✓Translations are allowed, such as English or Spanish, alongside French.
  • ✓No other language may be more prominent than French.
  • ✓Catalogues, brochures and directories are covered by section 52.

What Changed on 1 June 2025?

The trademark exemption was narrowed, and generic and descriptive words must now appear in French (Regulation, ss. 7.1 and 27.2).

Rule Before 1 June 2025 Since 1 June 2025
Non-French trademarks on products Broad exemption for recognized trademarks Exempt only if no corresponding French version is on the federal trademark register
Generic or descriptive words in a trademark Could stay in another language Must appear in French on the product or on a medium permanently attached to it
Engraved, baked or inlaid inscriptions on products made outside Quebec Exempt Still exempt, but safety inscriptions must always be in French (s. 3)

What counts as generic or descriptive?

A generic term describes what the product is. A descriptive term describes its characteristics. In a brand name like “SuperGlow Face Cream,” the words face cream are generic and need a French equivalent.

The trademark transition period (until 1 June 2027)

A non-compliant product can still be sold until 1 June 2027 only if both conditions are met:

  1. It was manufactured before 1 June 2025.
  2. No French version of its recognized trademark was filed as of 26 June 2024.
Watch out: this relief covers trademark rules only. It does not excuse any other untranslated text on the product.

Which Product Label Elements Need French?

Unless an exception applies, every word on a product, its packaging and its accompanying documents needs a French version.

Label element Status Notes
Product name, generic term or description French required
Country of origin (“Made in…”) French required The designation-of-origin exemption covers protected names, not origin statements
Ingredients, specifications, contents French required
Safety warnings and hazard statements Always French No exception, ever
Directions for use, warranty certificates, inserts French required Full French versions
Recognized trademark Depends May stay in another language if no French version is registered; generic or descriptive words must be in French
Engraved, baked or inlaid inscriptions (made outside Quebec) Exempt Except safety inscriptions
Raised inscriptions on tires Exempt
Model numbers, part numbers, barcodes, URLs Generally exempt

Other languages may appear alongside French, but none may be more prominent or offered on more favourable terms.

Beyond the Label: Websites, Software, Contracts and Signs

The Charter’s commerce rules reach well past packaging.

Websites & catalogues (s. 52)

Must be in French. Other-language versions may exist, but not on more favourable terms.

Software & video games (s. 52.1)

Must be available in French unless no French version exists.

Contracts of adhesion (since 1 June 2023)

French version first. Another language only if the parties expressly ask after seeing the French.

Signs & advertising (s. 58)

French must be markedly predominant. Since 1 June 2025, this also applies to trademarks on exterior signs.

How Do Federal Labelling Rules Fit In?

Canada’s Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations apply to prepackaged consumer products everywhere in Canada, including Quebec. They add to the Charter’s requirements and never reduce them.

Federal declaration Language required
Product identity (common or generic name) English and French
Net quantity, in metric units English and French
Dealer’s name and principal place of business English or French

In Quebec, the Charter goes further: every other inscription on the package also needs French.

Using one package for Canada and the US?

Check other markets’ rules first. Under California Proposition 65 (27 CCR § 25602(d)), if a label gives consumer information in another language, the Prop 65 warning must also appear in that language. Removing a required warning to avoid translating it is not advisable.

Rules for Vehicles, Tires and Transport

The Regulation has specific rules for vehicles and goods in transit (ss. 3, 4, 16 and 17).

Situation Rule
Raised inscriptions on tires (s. 4) May be in another language only
Containers for interprovincial or international transport (s. 3) Inscriptions may be in another language only
Signs on vehicles regularly travelling inside and outside Quebec (s. 17) French and another language allowed, French at least as prominent
Advertising on public transport and its access points (s. 16) French only
Vehicle parts and accessories sold to consumers Normal product rules: descriptions, origin, safety warnings, instructions and warranties need French

Federally, section 3(4) of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations exempts prepackaged replacement parts for vehicles, appliances and other durable goods, unless they are displayed for sale to consumers. This federal exemption does not remove any Quebec Charter requirement. For auto parts sellers, keeping French descriptions consistent is easier when product data is centralized and flows into marketplace listings.

What Are the Penalties Under Bill 96?

The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) handles complaints, inspections and corrective orders.

Businesses, per offence

$3,000 – $30,000

Individuals, per offence

$700 – $7,000

  • Fines double for a second offence and triple for later ones.
  • A continuing offence counts as a separate offence each day.
  • Directors and officers can be personally liable.
  • Customers can ask a court to annul a non-compliant contract or reduce their obligations.
  • The Minister of the French Language can suspend or revoke permits issued by Quebec authorities.

Bill 96 Compliance Checklist

Work through these 12 steps to get your products ready for the Quebec market.

  1. 1List every product, package, insert and document sold or supplied in Quebec.
  2. 2Translate descriptions, origin statements, specifications and safety text into French, with at least equal prominence.
  3. 3Provide French instructions and warranties, catalogues and website content.
  4. 4Check each non-French trademark against the federal register, including any French version.
  5. 5Put generic or descriptive words in trademarks into French.
  6. 6Make software available in French where a French version exists.
  7. 7Issue French versions of contracts of adhesion before any other language.
  8. 8Review exterior signs for markedly predominant French.
  9. 9Plan sell-through of pre-1 June 2025 stock before 1 June 2027.
  10. 10Confirm federal bilingual declarations: product identity, net quantity, dealer name and address.
  11. 11Check other markets’ rules, such as Prop 65, before changing shared packaging.
  12. 12Have final French wording reviewed by a qualified Quebec French translator.


Selling into Quebec? Make sure your products can still be sold after 1 June 2027.

APA Engineering’s 140+ compliance experts help manufacturers find gaps across labels, packaging, product documentation and catalogues, and our Regulatory Watch service tracks rule changes across APAC, the EU and the Americas so deadlines like Bill 96 never catch you off guard.

✓ 150+ global customers   ✓ 140+ compliance experts   ✓ ISO 27001 & ISO 9001 certified   ✉ compliance@apaengineering.com

Frequently Asked Questions About Bill 96

Tap a question to see the answer.

Does Bill 96 apply to businesses outside Quebec?

Yes. Any business selling products or services in Quebec must comply, wherever it is based.

Can I keep my English trademark on products sold in Quebec?

Sometimes. Only if no corresponding French version is on the federal trademark register. Generic or descriptive words in the trademark must still appear in French.

When does the Bill 96 grace period end?

On 1 June 2027. After that, products made before 1 June 2025 with non-compliant trademarks can no longer be sold.

Can a label be bilingual in Quebec?

Yes. English or other languages may appear alongside French, as long as no other language is more prominent than French.

Do safety warnings need to be in French?

Always. Safety warnings and hazard statements need French with no exceptions, even on engraved or inlaid inscriptions.

Do model numbers and barcodes need translation?

Generally no. Model numbers, part numbers, barcodes and URLs usually do not need a French version.

Does my website need to be in French?

Yes. Websites, catalogues and brochures must be in French. Other-language versions may exist but cannot be offered on more favourable terms.

What are the fines for breaking Quebec’s French language law?

Businesses pay $3,000 to $30,000 per offence. Fines double for a second offence, triple after that, and each day of a continuing offence counts separately.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult a Quebec lawyer for your specific situation.

Sources

  • Charter of the French Language (C-11), LégisQuébec
  • Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business (C-11, r. 9), LégisQuébec
  • DLA Piper – Quebec’s language laws changed this week (June 2025)
  • BLG via Mondaq – Bill 96: new French language obligations for business