21 October 2024
Bill 96 Canada
What is Bill 96 Canada?
Bill 96 Canada is a legislative reform passed in Québec that significantly strengthens the use of French in the province. For cosmetic companies selling products in Québec, this means strict new obligations regarding product labeling, websites, packaging, marketing, and customer service—French is no longer optional, it’s mandatory.
Why Does Bill 96 Matter for Cosmetic Brands?
If your cosmetic products are sold in Québec—either directly or through distributors—Bill 96 directly affects how your brand communicates with consumers. Québec’s government aims to protect French as the province’s official language, requiring that all information provided to consumers be available in French first, and sometimes exclusively. Ignoring this law could result in legal consequences, financial penalties, product withdrawal from the market, or even reputational damage.
Key Impacts of Bill 96 on the Cosmetics Industry
- French on Packaging and Labels
Cosmetic products sold in Québec must already comply with the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, but Bill 96 goes further:
- All mandatory label information (product name, directions for use, ingredients, safety warnings, etc.) must appear in French.
- French must be displayed as clearly and prominently as any other language (if other languages are included at all).
- Important nuance: Trademarks that do not have a French version officially registered may remain in another language. However, as of June 1, 2025, any generic or descriptive elements in those trademarks (e.g., color, fragrance, ingredients, texture) will also have to appear in French, either on the product or a permanently affixed support.
- French in Marketing and Advertising
Product advertising—both physical (store displays, posters) and digital (social media, Google Ads, etc.)—must prioritize French.
French text must be “markedly predominant”, meaning it must be more visible than any other language.
This includes product brochures, promotional materials, and beauty influencer collaborations targeted at Québec audiences. - French on Cosmetic Brand Websites
Any cosmetic brand with a website accessible to Québec consumers must provide a fully functional French version.
The French version must offer the same content, services, and features as any English or other-language version (e.g., shopping cart, product descriptions, customer service chat). - Customer Service in French
Brands offering online or phone support to Canadian customers must ensure French-speaking customer service is available to Québec clients.
This includes email support, live chat, and return policies—all must be clearly available in French. - Distributor and Retail Compliance
If your products are sold through retailers, ensure that your partners are compliant with Bill 96 too.
Brands can be held accountable for non-compliance by distributors, especially in areas like signage, shelf labeling, and customer interaction.
Bill 96 Compliance Deadlines and Transition Periods
- As of June 1, 2023: Core requirements regarding French language use in product labeling and customer communication are already in effect.
- From June 1, 2025: Generic or descriptive elements within trademarks must also appear in French on the product or an attached permanent support.
- Transition period until June 1, 2027 for certain trademark scenarios:
- Products manufactured before June 1, 2025, whose trademarks include generic/descriptive elements in another language and no French version was registered by June 26, 2024, may still be sold.
- Products manufactured between June 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025 that are also subject to new labeling rules under Canadian food and drug regulations (SOR/2022-168 and SOR/2022-169) may also be exempt under certain conditions.
What Cosmetic Companies Should Do Now
- Audit All Product Labels
Ensure every element of your packaging—ingredient list, claims, instructions—is fully and clearly translated into French. - Review Marketing Assets
Check your campaigns, visuals, brochures, and influencer posts for French compliance in Québec. - Localize Your Website
Develop a French version of your website for Québec users with equal content and navigation features. - Train or Hire French Customer Support
Make sure French-speaking consumers receive equal access to support, returns, and product guidance. - Work with Regulatory Experts
Partner with regulatory professionals like Biorius to make sure your brand fully complies with Bill 96 and other Canadian cosmetic regulations.
What Cosmetic Companies Should Do Now
-
Bill 96 Canada is more than a language law—it’s a powerful shift in how cosmetics companies must operate in Québec. It affects how you label, market, sell, and support your products.
With nuanced rules around trademarks and critical deadlines approaching, cosmetic brands must act now to stay compliant.
Let Biorius help you navigate Bill 96 for cosmetics and ensure your products remain compliant, accessible, and successful in Québec.
Author
Pierre Verachten
Pierre Verachten is Biorius's Cosmetic International Compliance Lead and has been working in the cosmetic industry for more than 10 years.
Related Posts
21 October 2024
Get in Touch
Need a piece of advice, a quotation or answers to your questions?
Fill in this form or contact us directly: info@biorius.com – We will answer as soon as possible!
As specialists in cosmetic Regulations for more than 15 years, Biorius offers a reliable turnkey solution for placing cosmeticproducts in various markets:
-
First Class specialists in cosmetic regulations in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and in more than 60 countries -
50 regulatory experts, toxicologists, pharmacists, and chemists to serve you. -
A unique model that guarantees you both the fastest turnaround possible and high-quality services. Curious? Ask us to know more! -
A best-in-class IT tool, free of charge, and saving a lot of your time. -
More than 1,500 international clients have already chosen Biorius! -
We evaluated more than 100,000 products and have always successfully managed compliance over 15 years of existence
Get in Touch
"*" indicates required fields