Welsh language: what businesses need to know

The Welsh language has official status in Wales, alongside English. The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 created a framework of Welsh Language Standards that require certain organisations to use Welsh when providing services, making policy, and running their operations.

If you run a private business in Wales, you may be wondering whether these Standards apply to you. For most private businesses, the answer is no, not directly. However, if you contract with the public sector or want to reach Welsh-speaking customers, understanding the framework matters.

What Welsh Language Standards are

Welsh Language Standards are legally binding requirements imposed on organisations by the Welsh Language Commissioner (Comisiynydd y Gymraeg). They replaced the earlier system of voluntary Welsh language schemes under the Welsh Language Act 1993.

The Commissioner issues compliance notices to individual organisations, specifying which Standards apply and the deadline for compliance. Before the Commissioner can do this, Welsh Ministers must first approve regulations listing the Standards and the types of organisations that can be subject to them.

The five categories of Standards

Standards fall into five categories, each covering a different aspect of how an organisation uses the Welsh language. Not every organisation is required to meet all five categories; the compliance notice specifies which apply.

Who the Standards apply to

Welsh Language Standards primarily apply to public bodies in Wales, including local authorities, NHS bodies, police forces, national park authorities, and higher and further education institutions. Some UK-wide regulators operating in Wales are also subject to Standards.

Nine sets of regulations have been issued since 2015, each bringing a new group of organisations into scope. The Commissioner has issued compliance notices to over 120 organisations.

Most private businesses are not directly subject to Welsh Language Standards. The Measure gives Welsh Ministers the power to extend Standards to the private sector in future, but as of 2026, this has not happened for most commercial businesses.

When Standards affect your business indirectly

Even though your business may not be directly subject to Standards, you may still need to meet Welsh language requirements in practice. The most common scenario is contracting with the public sector.

Enforcement and penalties

For organisations that are subject to Standards, the Welsh Language Commissioner has enforcement powers. Anyone can make a complaint if they believe an organisation has failed to comply.

Voluntary adoption: benefits for private businesses

Even where the law does not require it, offering services in Welsh can bring commercial advantages in Wales:

• Customer reach: Over 880,000 people in Wales speak Welsh (29.7% of the population, 2021 Census). In some areas, particularly north-west and west Wales, Welsh is the first language for the majority of residents
• Public sector contracts: Demonstrating Welsh language capability strengthens tender applications for public sector work
• Brand differentiation: Using Welsh signals local roots and commitment to Wales, which resonates with customers and communities
• Staff recruitment: Welsh-speaking staff value employers who use and support the language in the workplace

Welsh names and bilingual signage

There is no legal requirement for private businesses to have a Welsh name or bilingual signage. However, many businesses in Wales voluntarily adopt bilingual branding. If you choose to use Welsh in your business name, signage, or marketing, the Welsh Language Commissioner's Hybu (Promotion) team can provide guidance on accurate translation and natural Welsh usage.

How this connects to other obligations

Welsh Language Standards sit alongside other Wales-specific regulatory requirements. If you operate in Wales, you should also be aware of devolved rules on planning, business rates, environmental regulation, and (from 2026) visitor accommodation registration. The Welsh Government maintains a growing body of Wales-specific legislation through the Senedd.