WHMIS Is Changing!

Are You Ready?

By December 2025, WHMIS 2015 will be phased out and employers, workers, and suppliers must transition to the new WHMIS regulations.

Key Changes

WHMIS will now be referred to as just “WHMIS,” rather than “WHMIS 2015.”

For most workplaces, the most notable impacts of the transition will be:

improved clarity and precision for certain provisions
new information elements required on safety data sheets
adoption of a new physical hazard class (Chemicals Under Pressure)
adoption of a new hazard category for non-flammable aerosols and new subcategories for flammable gases

What About Training Workers?

Employers in every industry that uses, stores, or handles hazardous products will need to update their training programs.

CLAC has updated our WHMIS program to meet the new regulations.

As with WHMIS 2015, WHMIS will be offered at no charge to members whose employer participates in the CLAC training fund.

Why the Change?

In December 2022, Canada amended its Hazardous Product Regulations (HPR) to align with the seventh revised edition and certain provisions of the eighth edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

These amendments are designed to provide more comprehensive and detailed health and safety information on product labels and safety data sheets, which will provide better protection for workers.

A full breakdown of the changes and a comparison with WHMIS 2015 is available from Health Canada.

Transition Period

Suppliers have until December 14, 2025, to bring their safety data sheets and labels into compliance with the amended regulations.

During this transition period, regulated parties can choose to comply with either the former HPR or the amended HPR, but not both. The hazard classification, safety data sheet, and label of a hazardous product must be fully compliant with the version of the regulation chosen.

Need Training?

CLAC offers online WHMIS training that meets the new standard.

British Columbia - WHMIS