Quebec Mandates Minimum Warranty Periods for Major Appliances and Electronics
MONTREAL – Quebec has finalized sweeping new consumer protection rules that will require retailers and manufacturers to guarantee the functionality of major appliances and electronics for legally defined periods, shifting the long-term cost of repairs away from purchasers.
The regulation, published on December 17, 2025, concretely defines the "warranty of good working order," a statutory protection embedded in the province's Consumer Protection Act. It sets minimum coverage periods based on product category, mandating that merchants or manufacturers cover all repair costs—including parts, labour, and reasonable transport—if an item fails within that timeframe. The rules come into force on October 5, 2026.
"This is a foundational shift from a market where warranty terms were often unclear or minimal," said consumer law analyst Martin Thibault. "It legally embeds durability expectations into everyday transactions."
Covered products include refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washing machines, and freezers, alongside electronics like televisions, computers, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles. The mandated warranty periods are:
- Major Appliances (e.g., refrigerators, ranges): 5 years
- Small Appliances & Consumer Electronics: 3 years
- Mobile Phones & Tablets: 2 years
The regulation also imposes layered disclosure requirements. Manufacturers must post warranty durations clearly online prior to sale. Retailers must display them prominently beside advertised prices. Crucially, before selling any additional extended warranty, sellers must first provide written notice of the statutory warranty's duration; failure to do so may render the extended contract void, allowing consumers to cancel without penalty.
This move stems from 2023 legislative reforms targeting planned obsolescence and promoting repairability. For businesses, it adds a significant compliance layer, necessitating reviews of labelling, contracts, and product information systems well ahead of the 2026 deadline.
/// USER COMMENTARY ///
Chantal Lefebvre, Montreal Homeowner: "Finally! My dishwasher died just after two years and I was told 'too bad.' This law protects people from being stuck with expensive junk. It’s about time corporations were held responsible for the quality of what they sell."
David Chen, Small Appliance Store Owner: "While I support consumer rights, the compliance burden is heavy for small businesses. We now need to retrain staff and overhaul our point-of-sale systems. The cost will inevitably be passed on, making all products slightly more expensive for everyone."
Simone Roux, Tech Blogger & Consumer Advocate: "This is a bare-minimum fix for a systemic rot. Two years for a phone that costs over a thousand dollars? That's pathetic. It doesn't truly challenge the throwaway economy—it just gives it a slightly longer warranty label. The real fight is for right-to-repair laws and banning designs that make repairs impossible."
Robert Fortin, Supply Chain Consultant: "This will force manufacturers to re-evaluate product durability at the design stage. We may see a move towards more modular, repairable designs in the Quebec market, which could influence national standards. The financial liability for repairs is now a concrete line item in their risk assessment."
Non-compliance exposes businesses to consumer disputes, administrative penalties, and liability under Quebec's robust consumer protection framework. The regulation signals the province's continued push to be a leader in North American consumer rights, placing the onus of product longevity firmly on the seller.