Bill 96 Compliance for U.S. Companies
If you sell into Quebec — even only online — Quebec's Bill 96 requires French across your packaging, website and communications. Asiatis audits your exposure and translates what's required into compliant Canadian French, remotely.
✅ Free quote · 🍁 Canadian agency · ⚖️ Audit + translation in one place · 🌐 100% remote
Does Bill 96 apply to U.S. companies?
Yes, if you do business in or sell into Quebec. Bill 96 (the strengthened Charter of the French Language) requires French on packaging, labels, websites, e-commerce, advertising and signage — and it reaches products warehoused elsewhere but sold online into Quebec. Non-compliance carries fines of $3,000 to $30,000 per offense.
- Applies to foreign companies selling into Quebec, including online
- French required across packaging, web, ads and communications
- Fines from $3,000 to $30,000 per offense, higher for repeat offenders
- Key trademark rules phased in since June 2025
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What Bill 96 requires
Product packaging & labels
French on labels, warranties, instructions and user manuals — French at least as prominent as English.
Websites & e-commerce
A French version with equivalent access, including checkout and legal notices, for Quebec customers.
Advertising & signage
Ads targeting Quebec and public signage must give French markedly predominant visibility.
Trademarks (2025 rules)
Descriptive or generic terms inside a non-French trademark must now be translated.
Contracts & documents
Many consumer and employment documents must be available in French.
Customer & employee comms
Service, invoices and HR communications in French on request.
The cost of non-compliance
- Fines from $3,000 to $30,000 per offense — doubled or tripled for repeat offenders
- Risk of customs delays, product seizure or removal from shelves
- Reputational damage in a market where French is a legal expectation
- A two-year grace period applied to certain pre-June 2025 products until June 2027
How Asiatis gets you compliant
1. Remote audit
We assess your website, store, packaging and communications against the Bill 96 grid and rank the gaps.
2. Prioritized plan
You get a compliance score and an ordered action plan — fix what matters first, on budget.
3. Compliant translation
Our certified linguists translate the required content into compliant Canadian French.
4. Ongoing support
We support your OQLF file and keep new content compliant as you grow.
Frequently asked questions
We're a U.S. company with no office in Quebec — are we still affected?
If you sell to Quebec consumers, including through a website or marketplace, the French requirements generally apply to what those customers see. Physical presence is not required for the obligations to attach.
- Online sales into Quebec count
- No Quebec office required
- Confirm specifics with the OQLF / counsel
Do we need to translate our trademark?
The trademark itself generally does not need translation, but since June 2025, descriptive or generic terms within a non-French mark must be translated. We help identify and translate those terms.
- Mark itself usually exempt
- Descriptive terms must be translated
- 2025 rule, phased in
Can you handle both the audit and the translation?
Yes — that's the point. We audit your exposure, prioritize fixes, and translate everything required into compliant Canadian French, all remotely and with one partner.
- Audit + translation in one place
- 100% remote
- Certified Canadian French
Is your audit a legal opinion?
No. Our role is documentary and linguistic. We identify and fix non-compliant content; the official interpretation of obligations and any certificate of francization rests with the OQLF or your legal advisor.
- Documentary & linguistic service
- Not legal advice
- OQLF decides compliance
Asiatis provides documentary and linguistic services. Information about Bill 96 obligations, deadlines and penalties is provided for guidance only; the official interpretation of your obligations rests with the OQLF or your legal advisor.