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An in-depth look at commonly asked questions surrounding Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Regulatory requirements and industry best practices for authoring Safety Data Sheets.
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WHMIS was created in 1988 and is Canada’s national hazard communication standard. It remained relatively unchanged until 2015, when it was updated to align with the 5th edition of the GHS. Since then, WHMIS has been known as WHMIS 2015. As further updates are expected over time, WHMIS 2015 will now be referred to simply as WHMIS.
In December 2022, WHMIS was amended to align with the 7th revised edition of GHS and certain provisions of the 8th revised edition.
WHMIS is aligned with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) which provides a more standardized approach to hazard communication around the world. This also enables Canadian workplaces to communicate hazards more effectively with other countries that have adopted GHS. In December 2022, Canada amended its Hazardous Product Regulations (HPR) to align with the 7th revised edition and certain provisions of the 8th edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
The workplaces, the most noticeable changes are the adoption of a new Physical Hazard Class (Chemicals Under Pressure), and the adoption of a new non-flammable aerosol hazard category, and a new subcategory for flammable gases. Manufacturers will have to update their SDS and Label as necessary, then employers will need to explain the new class and category and communicate these product updates to workers.
Employers need to update their WHMIS training programs to help workers learn the new WHMIS updates; especially the updated Hazard Classes and Categories.
f you manufacture hazardous products your Safety Data Sheets may need to be updated. Products with these classifications may have classification changes Flammable Gases, Aerosols, and Gases Under Pressure.
Slight revisions also have been made to the information elements required on SDSs, primarily modifications to the required elements in the physical and chemical properties in Section 9.
Specific elements have been introduced, including physical state, colour, particle characteristics, kinematic viscosity, and relative vapour density. Elements such as odour threshold and evaporation rate were removed. A SDS can still list these elements as additional information, but it cannot be false or misleading.
Another change specifies that all hazardous ingredients that are present in a mixture at concentrations above the relevant cutoff levels must be disclosed, regardless of whether the hazardous ingredient contributes to the classification of the mixture as a hazardous product or not.
Suppliers have until December 14, 2025, to bring their SDSs and labels into compliance with the amended regulations.
During this three-year transition period, suppliers can choose to comply with either the former HPR or the amended HPR, but not both. It’s important to note that the hazard classification, SDS, and label of a hazardous product must be fully compliant with the version of the regulation chosen.
This requirement means that for a product to be compliant with the amended WHMIS, both the SDS and the label must meet the requirements of the amended WHMIS.
Employer obligations for hazardous products are set out in federal, provincial, and territorial occupational health and safety legislation. More information can be found at WHMIS.org.
Chemscape offers SDS management, SDS authoring, and chemical management software to help organizations implement and comply with WHMIS.
