Bill 96: What Foreign Companies Need to Know Before Selling in Quebec
In short: Any company selling in Quebec, even from abroad, must comply with the Charter of the French Language, amended by Bill 96 in 2022. The points that most affect foreign companies are product packaging and labelling, public signage, contracts, commercial documents and websites. Francization obligations apply once a company has 25 or more employees in Quebec.
This article is a general overview for information purposes. It does not replace legal advice.
What Bill 96 is
The Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, adopted in 2022 and known as Bill 96, strengthened the Charter of the French Language. Its measures came into force in stages, the last major ones on June 1, 2025. The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) oversees its application.
Obligations that affect foreign companies
Products, packaging and instructions
Inscriptions on a product, its packaging, its instructions and its warranty must be in French. Another language may accompany them, but not prevail over French.
Trademarks
A recognized trademark may remain in another language. Since June 1, 2025, however, generic or descriptive terms accompanying a trademark must be translated into French. A grace period until June 1, 2027 applies to certain products manufactured before that date.
Public signage
On signage visible from outside a premises, when a trademark in another language appears, French must be markedly predominant. In practice, the space given to French must be at least twice as large as that given to any other language.
Contracts
Contracts of adhesion (standard, non-negotiable contracts) must first be presented in French. The client can then choose to be bound by a version in another language.
Commercial documents and websites
Catalogues, brochures, order forms, invoices and websites aimed at the Quebec market must be available in French, with a French version at least equivalent to other versions.
Francization: the 25-employee threshold
Since June 2025, companies employing 25 or more people in Quebec must register with the OQLF and, if needed, follow a francization process (the threshold used to be 50). This directly affects foreign companies opening an office or subsidiary with a local team.
How to prepare
List everything a Quebec client sees: products, packaging, website, presentations, contracts, invoices.
Have this content translated and adapted by Quebec French professionals.
Check the status of your trademarks in Canada.
Plan OQLF registration if your Quebec team approaches 25 people.
Have everything reviewed by a Quebec lawyer before launch.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bill 96 apply if I sell from Europe without an office in Quebec?
Largely yes, for everything related to commerce aimed at Quebec clients: products, packaging, documents and website. Francization obligations tied to headcount, however, target companies with staff in Quebec. The exact scope depends on your situation, so confirm it with a lawyer.
Is a website in European French compliant?
The law requires French without imposing a regional variant. Adapting vocabulary to Quebec French is still a commercial advantage.
What does a non-compliant company risk?
The OQLF can receive complaints, require corrections and, as a last resort, penalties may apply. Above all, a non-compliant offer may be dismissed by buyers who do not want to take that risk.
SPAK supports foreign companies entering the Quebec market, from market validation to prospecting. Contact us.
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