UPDATED! WHMIS 2015 obligations - Compliance deadline was December 1

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The deadline to become compliant with WHMIS 2015 obligations was December 1, 2018. As of this date, the classification, label and safety data sheet (SDS) must comply fully with the specific legislation and regulation chosen by the supplier, and not a combination of the two. The supplier must be compliant with the Canadian requirements, either the Controlled Product Regulations (CPR) or the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR). A label or SDS that is compliant with the United States Hazard Communication Standard (2012) may not be sufficient for compliance in Canada.

WHMIS 2015 includes new harmonized criteria for hazard classification and requirements for labels and safety data sheets (SDS). The key changes are the following:

Safety Data Sheets and Labels: The general concept of communicating the hazards of a product on a label and safety data sheet (SDS) through pictures and statements that convey messages about hazards, precautions and first aid measures remains the same under the new HPR. However, different pictograms and statements are required under the HPR than were required under the CPR. The Information Elements Required on a WHMIS 2015 SDS and the Information Elements Required on a WHMIS 2015 label provide guidance on the requirements for SDSs and labels under the HPR.
Old labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS) have to be removed from the supply chain and workplaces
More comprehensive hazard classification criteria
New hazard classes
Physical hazard criteria now consistent with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations
Standardized language
New requirements for supplier labels
New standardized 16-section safety data sheet (SDS) format

The Technical Guidance document is available here.

NOTE: The roles and responsibilities for suppliers, employers and workers have not changed.

Suppliers, defined as persons who, in the course of business, sell or import a hazardous product, will continue to:

identify whether their products are hazardous products; and,
prepare labels and SDSs and provide these to purchasers of hazardous products intended for use in a workplace.

Employers will continue to:

educate and train workers on the hazards and safe use of hazardous products in the workplace;
ensure that hazardous products are properly labelled;
prepare workplace labels and SDSs (as necessary); and
ensure appropriate control measures are in place to protect the health and safety of workers.

Workers will continue to:

participate in WHMIS and chemical safety training programs;
take necessary steps to protect themselves and their co-workers; and
participate in identifying and controlling hazards.

For more information on the WHMIS 2015 requirements, please visit Health Canada’s WHMIS webpage.

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