Additional Ukrainian Language Requirements For User Interface Of Software And Official Websites/Webpages Are In Effect On 16 July 2022

The Law of Ukraine "On Ensuring the Use of Ukrainian as the State Language" No. 2704-VIII (the "Language Law") entered into force on 16 July 2019. It was enacted despite all pressure, claims, objections and an attempt to declare it unconstitutional¹. The Language Law stood its ground and is gradually entering into force (in our previous overview we summarised various language law requirements and the relevant transitional periods).

The next important milestone is 16 July 2022. On that date, the three-year transition period for starting the use of Ukrainian for the user interface (the "UI") of the pre-installed software and internet offices (official websites and webpages in social media) ends. The draft law previously stipulated a shorter (eighteen months) transitional period, but the Parliament decided to grant a longer period in order for businesses to smoothly adapt to the new requirements.