Description

: The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), developed by the United Nations, is designed to standardize hazard classification and communication, such as labelling, for hazardous chemicals across various countries. A revised edition of the GHS is published every 2 years. Canada implemented the 5th revised edition of the GHS as the Hazardous Products Regulations on 11 February 2015. Under the authority of the Hazardous Products Act, Canada is proposing to amend the Hazardous Products Regulations to align with the 7th revised edition of the GHS to the extent possible (which includes adopting the changes made in the 6th and 7th revised editions), provide greater clarity or additional precision to specific provisions, amend specific provisions to better reflect their original intent, and address administrative updates. As a result of the proposed amendments to align the Hazardous Products Regulations with the 7th revised edition of the GHS to the extent possible, the Hazardous Products Act requires amendments to Schedule 2, which lists the Physical Hazard Classes and Health Hazard Classes under the Hazardous Products Regulations. The proposed Schedule and regulatory amendments would support the Government of Canada in facilitating international trade through common labelling and other hazard communication requirements for workplace hazardous products; lowering costs for businesses and consumers by reducing the need for re-testing and re-classifying chemicals from, or for, different markets, as well as by reducing the need for preparing multiple sets of labels and safety data sheets for different markets; and increasing worker protection through adoption of a revised version of the globally recognized standard for communicating the hazards associated with workplace hazardous products.