Canada Publishes Hazardous Product Regulations to Align With 7th Revised Edition of GHS

On 4 January 2023 Health Canada published Regulations Amending the Hazardous Products Regulations (GHS, Seventh Revised Edition) under subsection 15(1) of the Hazardous Products Act. 

3E Review 

As anticipated, Canada has finalized its process to update the Hazardous Products Regulations in order to align them with the seventh revised edition of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Health Canada had delayed the final publication in order to align with the proposed changes to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard. 

Health Canada announced that the amendments include the following provisions:

• Modification of several definitions
• Modification of Schedule 2 (Hazard Classes) by updating "Flammable Aerosols" to "Aerosols," eliminating "Pyrophoric Gases," and adding a new physical hazard class, "Chemicals Under Pressure," from the 8th revised edition of the GHS
• Adoption of a new hazard category for non-flammable aerosols
• New subcategories for flammable gases
• Updated safety data sheet elements

With respect to the changes to physical hazard classes, Health Canada published a separate Order Amending Schedule 2 to the Hazardous Products Act.

Health Canada also announced, in response to stakeholder requests, an extended transition period of three years, until 14 December 2025.

3E Analysis

Producers and importers of chemical products need to be aware of the publication of Canada's amended Hazardous Products Regulations and begin the process to align their procedures with the new requirements. Health Canada has provided for a three-year transition period until 14 December 2025.