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Canada SDS regulations update

The recent amendments to Canada's Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR), published by Health Canada on January 4, 2023, aim to further align Canadian regulations with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the classification and labeling of chemicals. These updates include a three-year transition period, set to end on December 14, 2025, allowing businesses to adjust their practices accordingly.

Key changes in the amendments include:

  1. Simplified Hazard Communication: Updated criteria for hazard classification, to better align with the most recent GHS revisions, ensuring clear and concise hazard communication.

  2. Labeling Requirements: New provisions for labeling, with a particular focus on uniformity in hazard symbols, signal words, and precautionary statements. These changes are meant to improve international trade compliance.

  3. Document Adjustments: Several updates have been made to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) content requirements to provide more precise information on hazardous products.

These revisions aim to maintain a high standard of workplace safety and ensure that businesses in Canada stay compliant with global and domestic regulations​.

For more information see here.

New OSHA SDS requirements

The July 2024 update to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) proposes key revisions, including:

  • Revised Hazard Classifications: New provisions for aerosols, desensitized explosives, and chemicals under pressure.

  • Enhanced Labeling: Streamlined for small containers and clarified requirements for bulk shipments.

  • Trade Secrets: Adjustments to ensure first responders have access to critical hazard information.

  • Updated SDS Format: Changes in hazard categories and precautionary statements for better clarity and global alignment.

For detailed changes, check the full document here

USA OSHA updating HCS

In May 2024, OSHA introduced a new rule updating its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to improve protections for workers handling hazardous chemicals. This update aligns with the seventh revision of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), ensuring that labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide clearer, more detailed information about chemical hazards.

One of the key changes in the updated standard includes enhanced labeling requirements, particularly for small packaging, ensuring labels are comprehensive and easy to understand. Additionally, the rule addresses how trade secrets should no longer obscure critical hazard information on SDS, especially for first responders. Updated hazard classification processes and new precautionary statements further enhance safety by improving guidance on handling hazardous substances like explosives, aerosols, and pressurized chemicals.

The revised HCS also aims to better align with the regulations of other U.S. agencies and Canadian standards, helping businesses maintain consistency across borders. These changes, set to take effect on July 19, 2024, are expected to reduce the incidence of chemical-related occupational injuries and illnesses by enhancing hazard communication in the workplace.


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