January 2025 issue: Workplace Hazardous Products Program newsletter

On this page

• Summary of UN GHS Sub-Committee of Experts 47th session
• Engagement
  • Chemistry Industry Association of Canada - Technical Management Committee Meeting
  • November 2024 multi-stakeholder workshop
• Future newsletter content
• Important WHMIS websites

Summary of UN GHS Sub-Committee of Experts 47th session

The 47th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS, collectively UNSCEGHS) took place in Geneva on December 4-6, 2024.

Overall, the recommendations that were put forward by the UNSCEGHS align with Canada's positions and interests, as follows:

• The UNSCEGHS adopted amendments to Annex 11 of the GHS to include guidance on identifying and communicating the “simple asphyxiant” hazard. 
• Amendments were adopted for table 2.3.1 of the GHS, which revise the classification criteria for “Aerosols” to address an inconsistency between aerosol Category 2 and 3 criteria, and to also implement some editorial changes.

Various additional updates included:

• Canada and the United States (U.S.) presented a joint paper in response to the reports from the OECD Endocrine Disrupters ad hoc expert group. 
  • The UNSCEGHS acknowledged Canada and the U.S.’s concerns and agreed that work to address endocrine disrupters in the GHS should build on the conclusions by the OECD ad hoc group and should consider the outcome of the pilot studies to be conducted by the U.S. and the European Union.
• The UNSCEGHS re-elected Ms. Nina John (Austria) as chairperson and Ms. Janet Carter (U.S.) as vice-chairperson for the period 2025-2026. 
• The programme of work for the next biennium (2025-2026) was agreed to by the UNSCEGHS.

Further details can be found in the Report of the Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals on its forty-seventh session

Engagement

Chemistry Industry Association of Canada - Technical Management Committee Meeting

The Workplace Hazardous Products Program (WHPP) attended a Chemistry Industry Association of Canada - Technical Management Committee meeting as a guest speaker on October 22, 2024.

WHPP provided a Program overview and information on a variety of topics, including:

• Overview of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and Canada’s related international engagement
• Amendments to the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR)
• Alignment between Canada and the United States (U.S.) under the Regulatory Cooperation Council

November 2024 multi-stakeholder workshop

On November 7, 2024, WHPP hosted its second annual multi-stakeholder workshop.

More than 200 participants attended the workshop, representing numerous sectors in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) community.

Health Canada provided Program updates and information on a variety of topics, including:

• Amended HPR
• Non-compliances under the Hazardous Products Act and its regulations
• Consumer product labelling initiatives

An industry representative gave a presentation on best practices and considerations for implementing the amended HPR.

Also, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety shared an overview of their Program and services.

There was active engagement following each presentation, with particular interest in:

• Compliance with the HPR
• Compliance with the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act for exemptions from disclosure of confidential business information
• Alignment with the U.S. Hazard Communication Standard

Materials were shared with all participants following the workshop. A summary of questions and answers from the workshop is also now available. If you would like to receive a copy of any of these documents, please contact us: whmis-simdut@hc-sc.gc.ca.

The intent of this forum is to facilitate engagement and dialogue across the WHMIS community to improve participation and the exchange of knowledge. We encourage all stakeholders and partners to consider leading agenda topics and discussions for future multi-stakeholder workshops.

Future newsletter content

Is there a topic that you would like us to include in a future newsletter? We would love to hear from you. Email us at whmis-simdut@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Important WHMIS websites

• WHMIS.org – Canada’s national WHMIS portal
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)