The RV Industry Association (RVIA) highlights French language requirements for manufacturers and suppliers selling RVs in Quebec (Canada), emphasizing that compliance extends beyond CSA Z240 labels to include all product materials, documentation, and customer communications under the province’s Charter of the French Language and Bill 96.
Quebec’s Charter of the French Language mandates that all RV products sold in the province include French translations on the product, its container, labels, and any accompanying documents or materials.
This includes instructions, manuals, warranties, marketing materials, signage, packaging, and digital tools.
The law applies to any company that sells, markets, or distributes products to consumers in Quebec, including component suppliers and manufacturers that provide parts for RVs sold in the province.
Manufacturers who only provide CSA Z240-compliant units may have French warning labels in place, but this does not satisfy all Charter requirements. Additional translations for manuals, packaging, and other documentation are still required.
Brand and product names generally do not require translation if they are in English and not registered or pending registration in Canada. However, generic or descriptive terms within trademarks may need translation. For example, if a brand includes the word “toothpaste” on packaging, the generic term must be translated to French.
French translations must be at least as prominent as other languages in size, color, and placement. In certain instances, such as signage, French may be required to dominate the display. Accessibility and visibility of the French text must not be less favorable than that of other languages.
“The example that the Office Québécois de la langue Française (“OQLF”) provides in its guide – which is in French – is if a toothpaste package has a brand name and the word “toothpaste” is directly underneath the brand name, then the word “toothpaste” would have to be translated into French since it is a generic or descriptive term (even if were part of the trademark),” the association said in a News and Insights report of RVIA.
Noncompliance carries financial penalties ranging from CA$3,000 to CA$30,000 per violation per day, with repeat offenses subject to increased fines.
Companies are advised to review all printed and digital materials provided with products destined for Quebec to ensure full compliance with translation requirements.
RVIA emphasizes that these regulations are legal obligations, not optional practices, and enforcement is ongoing.
Legal counsel should be consulted to interpret and apply Quebec’s requirements correctly.
“It is important to consult with your legal counsel on the interpretation and applicability of Quebec’s laws as they relate to French translation requirements. The RV Industry Association assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. The information above is subject to change by Quebec,” the association states.
For more information about RVIA, visit their website here.