Final Deadline for WHMIS 2015 is Approaching
What’s Happening?
On 11 February 2015, the Government of Canada published the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) which modified the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to incorporate the requirements of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). WHMIS is Canada’s national hazard communication standard.
The final deadline for Canada’s WHMIS 2015 compliance for manufacturers and importers is just around the corner (1 June 1 2017).
How Could it Impact Me?
The Canadian Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) was modified to include the hazard classification and communication requirements of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) . WHMIS now includes requirements for pictograms, new labeling and SDS requirements revised classification requirements.
The transition to WHMIS 2015 has been broken down into several phases. On 1 June 2017, Phase I will be completed and all manufacturers and importers will need to comply with the requirements of the HPR. By 1 June 2018, all distributors will need to comply with the requirements of the HPR and by 1 December 2018 , the full implementation of WHMIS 2015 will be complete.
Quick Summary
WHMIS is Canada’s hazard communication system for workplace chemicals. It is a national system implemented through interlocking federal, provincial and territorial legislation and regulations.
Canada and the United States are both committed to the implementation of GHS. The U.S. revised OSHA’s Hazard Communication was published in 2012 and is now fully implemented. A key objective of Canada’s implementation of GHS is to create a system that will allow the use of a single label and (M)SDS for each hazardous product that will comply with both U.S. and Canadian requirements.
The implementation of the GHS will align the Canadian and American approaches to workplace hazardous chemicals while strengthening health and safety protection provided to Canadian workers by ensuring more effective and consistent hazard information is available to all workers, making it safer for them to do their jobs and easier for employers to stay competitive.
Please note that distributors, beginning 1 June 2017 until 31 May 2018 can continue to sell, and suppliers importing for their own use can continue to import, hazardous products with labels and (M)SDSs that are compliant with WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015.
Contact Us
Critical Path Services can help you determine what your company’s vulnerabilities and obligations are under the WHMIS 2015 and assist you in authoring your SDS and labels. We can also provide your company with periodic updates and assist you in positioning your company to address future regulatory requirements. Critical Path Services can provide representatives of your company with a free consultation to talk you through the major changes enacted by the new law and how these changes could affect your business.
References and Related Documents
The Hazardous Products Act
The Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR)
Health Canada’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the new GHS and WHMIS 2015