The Welsh Language Standards (No. 1) Regulations 2015
What this means for your business
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 5 compliance obligations, 3 practical guides
What you must do
5 compliance obligations under this legislation.
Management duties 4
Provide Welsh language services for all communications
Your business must treat Welsh and English equally when dealing with customers, suppliers or the public. That means asking people if they want to receive letters, emails, phone calls or meetings in Welsh, replying in Welsh when they do, keeping a record of their preference and supplying Welsh versions of any forms or documents. You also need to greet callers in Welsh, offer a Welsh‑language phone line and, where required, provide translation services for meetings.
Provide Welsh language support and materials to staff
Your business must make sure Welsh can be used throughout internal administration. This means having a Welsh language policy on your intranet, offering contracts, correspondence, training, performance, and other HR documents in Welsh if staff request it, and providing Welsh versions of all workplace policies, intranet pages and software. You also need to allow staff to make complaints, disciplinary matters and related meetings in Welsh and to give them Welsh‑language training and skills assessments.
Publish and maintain Welsh language standards information and annual reports
If your organisation has Welsh language duties, you must make the relevant standards, complaints procedures, oversight arrangements and annual reports publicly available – both on your website and in any public‑facing offices. You also need to produce a Welsh‑language annual report each financial year by 30 June, publicise it and provide any information the Welsh Language Commissioner asks for.
Publish and review a 5‑year Welsh language promotion strategy
If your organisation’s role includes promoting the Welsh language, you must create a five‑year plan that sets a target for the percentage of Welsh speakers in your area and explains how you’ll reach it. The plan must be posted on your website, reviewed and updated every five years, and after each five‑year period you must publish an assessment showing the number of speakers, their ages and the activities you funded.
Record keeping 1
Keep required Welsh language compliance records
If your business has a Welsh‑language duty you must keep a set of records each financial year. This includes the number of complaints you receive, copies of any written complaints, the steps you take to comply, employee Welsh‑language skill levels, training attendance (including Welsh‑language course data), copies of skill assessments for new or vacant posts, and how each post is categorised by language need.
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Doing business in Wales: key differences from England
Reference guide summarising the key regulatory divergences between Wales and England for businesses. Covers planning, business rates, Land Transaction Tax, …
Welsh language: what businesses need to know
Welsh language requirements for public sector contractors
Sections and provisions
6 classified provisions from this legislation.