ISSAlert June 7, 2017
Canada Postpones GHS Deadlines
June 7, 2017 Contact: Bill Balek
The Government of Canada announced that it is extending certain of the deadlines associated with Canada’s implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling (GHS).
Background. On February 11, 2015, Canada published the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) that revise the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to incorporate the GHS. The revised WHMIS is now referred to as WHMIS 2015. As originally published, WHMIS 2015 is to be implemented in stages over three major dates. Canada has now revised two (2) of those effective dates as indicated below.
Old Deadline |
New Deadline |
What |
Who |
June 1, 2017 |
June 1, 2018 |
SDS, Labeling |
Manufacturers, Importers |
June 1, 2018 |
Sept. 1, 2018 |
SDS, Labeling |
Distributors |
Dec. 1, 2018 |
SAME |
In-House |
Employers* |
*Note: Employers will be able to use products with “old” labels and SDSs that are in the workplace as of Dec. 1, 2018 until June 1, 2019.
Additional Information. Contact Bill Balek, ISSA, [email protected] for additional information on this topic. This subject will also be touched upon (among others) at The ISSA Forum