Frequently Asked Questions - Hazardous Products Regulations

This document is an unofficial summary of the Regulations. It is not intended to substitute for, supersede or limit the requirements under the applicable legislation. In case of any discrepancy between this summary and the legislation, the legislation will prevail.

What is the purpose of this regulation?

The Hazardous Products Act (HPA) requires suppliers of hazardous products to communicate the hazards associated with their products via product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) as a condition of sale and importation for workplace use.

The Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) specify the criteria for classifying hazards posed by chemical products and requirements for product labels and SDSs. The HPR, in addition to the amendments made to the HPA under the Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1, modified the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) for workplace chemicals. The HPR repealed and replaced the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR), and repealed the Ingredient Disclosure List.

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's national hazard communication standard for hazardous chemicals used in the workplace. The objective of this national program is to help ensure the protection of Canadian workers from the adverse effects of hazardous products through the provision of relevant health and safety information. WHMIS is implemented through interlocking federal legislation administered by the Department of Health and federal, provincial and territorial occupational health and safety laws.

What are the key elements of this regulation?

The key elements of the HPR are:

  1. Classification criteria for health hazards associated with hazardous products;
  2. Requirements for product labels to communicate the hazards of chemicals used in workplaces; and
  3. Requirements for SDSs to provide more detailed information concerning the hazards of chemicals used in workplaces.

How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

In the context of the HPA, the HPR requires suppliers of hazardous products, intended for workplace uses, to classify their products and communicate hazards on product labels and SDSs.

What is the timeline for implementation?

Under the authority of the amended HPA, the HPR came into force on February 11, 2015. Under the three-stage transition period that is synchronized nationally across federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions, full implementation of the HPA and HPR will be complete by December 1, 2018.

Where can I get more information on the Hazardous Products Regulations?

Workplace Hazardous Materials Bureau
Health Canada
269 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
E-mail: WHMIS_SIMDUT@hc-sc.gc.ca
Telephone: 1-855-407-2665
Teletypewriter: 1-800-465-7735 (Service Canada)

For More Information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.

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