On this page

• Implementation of the amended Hazardous Products Regulations and alignment with the United States
• Engagement
  • Canadian Labour Congress Health and Safety Advisory Committee
  • Paints and Coatings Working Group Meeting
  • Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association Interface
  • Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation - Occupational Safety and Health Committee Annual General Meeting
  • Fall 2024 multi-stakeholder workshop: Dates announced and final call-out for speakers and topics
• Future newsletter content
• Important WHMIS websites

Implementation of the amended Hazardous Products Regulations and alignment with the United States

The amendments to the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) came into force in December 2022 with a 3-year transition period. We are currently in the 2^nd year of the transition.

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (US OSHA) recently published its Final Rule amending the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The amendments to the US HCS will come into effect on July 19, 2024.

Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors are required to comply with all modified provisions of the US HCS no later than

• 18 months after the effective date for substances
  • This is equivalent to January 19, 2026
  • This represents a 1 month difference between the US transition period for substances and the Canadian transition period
• 36 months after the effective date for mixtures
  • This is equivalent to July 19, 2027
  • This represents a 19 month difference between the US transition period for mixtures and the Canadian transition period

The Workplace Hazardous Products Program (WHPP) is working with US OSHA to determine the variances between the 2 sets of regulations and to develop guidance to stakeholders in support of the transition periods for chemical manufacturers of substances and mixtures, including through the Guidance on the WHMIS supplier requirements. Updates on this work, including revisions to the Guidance on Canada.ca, will be communicated to stakeholders by email. If you are not already subscribed to receive emails, please subscribe today.

Engagement

Canadian Labour Congress Health and Safety Advisory Committee

WHPP attended a Canadian Labour Congress Health and Safety Advisory Committee meeting as a guest speaker on April 11, 2024.

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

• WHPP's stakeholder engagement approach
• Status of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and related international engagement
• The government's small business lens
• History and status of the Consumer Product Exclusion regulatory proposal under the Hazardous Products Act (HPA)

Paints and Coatings Working Group Meeting

Representatives of the Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate (CHPSD) attended a Paints and Coatings Working Group meeting as guest speakers on April 25, 2024.

The following WHPP updates were provided:

• 2024-25 WHPP workplan
• HPR amendments, transition period and alignment with the US HCS
• Program modernizations and innovations under the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act (HMIRA)
• Status of the Consumer Product Exclusion regulatory proposal under the HPA

Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association Interface

Representatives of the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch of Health Canada, including CHPSD, attended the annual Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association Interface as guest speakers on April 29 and 30, 2024.

The following WHPP updates were provided:

• HPR amendments, transition period and alignment with the US HCS
• Program modernizations and innovations under the HMIRA
• HPA requirements to prepare and maintain a true copy of a label and safety data sheet
• Intent to take a coherent approach to advancing the Consumer Product Exclusion regulatory proposal under the HPA and the Human Health Hazards of Concern regulatory proposal under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA)

Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation - Occupational Safety and Health Committee Annual General Meeting

WHPP attended the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation - Occupational Safety and Health (CAALL OSH) Annual General Meeting as a presenter on June 4 to 6, 2024.

The Program shared updates regarding:

• Compliance and enforcement activities under the HPA
• HPA requirement to prepare and maintain a true copy of a label and safety data sheet
• Intent to take a coherent approach to advancing the Consumer Product Exclusion regulatory proposal under the HPA and the Human Health Hazards of Concern regulatory proposal under the CCPSA

Fall 2024 multi-stakeholder workshop: Dates announced and final call-out for speakers and topics

The 2024 WHPP multi-stakeholder workshop is currently planned for November 6 and 7, 2024. The workshop will take place virtually over 1 to 2 half days, pending proposed agenda items. More details, including a save-the-date invitation, will be shared at a later date.

This workshop is an excellent opportunity to engage the full WHMIS community, and we encourage industry, labour, other levels of government and any other interested group to lead discussion topics. Please send proposed agenda items to whmis-simdut@hc-sc.gc.ca by July 15, 2024, including any relevant contact information for the individual(s) who would lead the discussion topic.

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
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)