Canada’s packaging and labelling laws are important for anyone selling or importing products for retail, and for consumers wishing to make informed choices about their purchases. Navigating these laws can be difficult as they are often found in several places. In this Report we will provide some examples of Canada’s diverse packaging and labelling laws.
The Rules and Where to Find Them
The basic rules regarding product packaging and labelling in Canada can be found in the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, mandating that the following be present:
On June 1, 2022, Quebec’s Bill 96 amended the Charter of the French Language (the “French Charter”) to include changes to the use of English trademarks on product packaging. Effective June 1, 2025, a registered trademark is generally exempt from the French language requirements (meaning it does not have to be in French).
While this largely codifies existing jurisprudence, accompanying amendments to the Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business (the “Regulation Amendments”) will require additional French wording in some cases, also effective June 1, 2025.
