For firms with client companies that handle hazardous products, please be advised that further to the 2015 publication of the Hazardous Products Regulations and the modification of the Hazardous Products Act, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 1988) was modified and a new version (WHMIS 2015) was put in place. The period established by the Government of Canada for the transition between the two systems is now drawing to a close.

Since September 1, 2018, all hazardous products sold or imported by suppliers (manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers for their own use) must adhere to WHMIS 2015 requirements.  

Employers have until November 30, 2018 to comply with the legislation, thereby completing the transition to WHMIS 2015: 

• All hazardous products in the workplace must be accompanied by a label and a workplace safety data sheet in accordance with the provisions of WHMIS 2015. If labels and data sheets are not provided by the supplier (1), the employer must prepare them.
• The employer must have reviewed its hazardous products training and information program.
• The employer must have carried out the WHMIS 2015 training for all workers currently or potentially exposed to hazardous products.

For further information, please consult the following: 

Health Canada – WHMIS 

Workplace labels

Workplace safety data sheets

CNESST WHMIS-related publications (in French only)

1 Suppliers are not required to provide labels and data sheets in compliance with WHMIS 2015 for products sold under WHMIS 1988.