▪︎ CLP, GHS, SDS
Hazardous Products Regulations in Canada: Transition Period Ends on December 14, 2025 – USA and Canada in Step with GHS Rev.7
The revised Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) came into force in Canada on December 15, 2022. Given that the transition period expires at the end of the year, the new requirements will apply in full as of mid-December. Examples include classification criteria for chemical products, labels, and hazard symbols along with those for safety data sheets (SDS).
By updating the HPR, Canada has aligned its hazard communication regulations with the requirements of the seventh revised version of the GHS (GHS Rev.7) and granted the parties concerned a three-year transition period. During this phase, they may apply the old or the new regulation. However, mixed application of both sets of regulations is not permitted.
What You Should Keep in Mind
Companies now have until December 14 to comply with the new regulations and adjust product classifications, SDSs, and labels accordingly. In response to an inquiry from a leading news and information service, Health Canada announced that after the transition period ends, its initial focus will be on promoting compliance with the revised rules through educational efforts. It will not begin to take enhanced enforcement action until mid-2027.
Canada and the Unites States in Lockstep
The United States also updated its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) on May 20, 2024. These regulations have been in effect since July 19, 2024, and are based on the requirements of GHS Rev.7. In contrast to the HPR, however, the HCS allows for staggered transition periods. Companies in the United State must comply with the new requirements from January 2026 for individual substances and from July 2027 for mixtures. Due to the intertwined trade relations between the two countries, close coordination of the laws is essential. This means that an SDS or label created in the United States in accordance with GHS/HCS can often be adapted to Canadian requirements with minimal effort.
WHMIS, HPR, and HCS and HazCom
Terms and abbreviations related to hazard communication are often confused or used interchangeably in both countries. We will clarify them for you.
- WHMIS: The Canadian Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System is the legal framework for occupational safety and the handling of hazardous substances.
- HPR: The Hazardous Products Regulations are part of WHMIS. They describe how the WHMIS is to be implemented in concrete terms. For example, they define how labels are to be designed or what content is required for SDS in which format.
- HCS or HazCom? Both abbreviations are used synonymously. HCS is considered the official name, but HazCom is used as a colloquial short form.