The GHS: The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
Implications for WHMIS
PDF Version  (776 KB)
Abbey Klugerman, Head, Regulatory Affairs
National WHMIS Program
October 15, 2003
WHMIS
- Canada's hazard communication standard
- Cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS "controlled products"
- Material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
- Worker education and training programs
- Supplier labelling and MSDS requirements under the HPA and CPR
- Implemented through interlocking federal, provincial and territorial legislation
- Thirteen F/P/T agencies established employer WHMIS requirements within respective jurisdictions
- Minister-level MOUs with regulatory partners to conduct compliance program (~400 non-HC inspectors)
Scope of WHMIS
- Greater than 20 million pure chemical substances assigned dedicated registry CAS (Chemical Abstract Service ) number
- More than 750,000 chemical products marketed in Canada subject to "WHMIS" label and MSDS requirements
- Approximately 50% of chemical products originate from outside Canada
GHS Impact on WHMIS
- Changes to existing classification criteria
- Changes to label elements:
- Hazard symbols
- Signal words
- Hazard statements
- WHMIS hatched border
- Changes to MSDSs
Label Requirements
| WHMIS CPR |
GHS |
Product Identifier
|
Product Identifier |
Supplier Identifier
|
Supplier Identifier |
NA
|
Hazardous Ingredients |
Hazard Pictogram
|
Hazard Pictogram |
NA
|
Hazard Statement |
NA
|
Signal Word |
Precautionary Measures
|
Precautionary Information |
Risk Phrases
|
NA |
First Aid Statement
|
Part of Precautionary Statement
|
Hatched Border
|
No
|
Material Safety Data Sheets
- Comprehensive hazard communication information
- Used by employers and workers
- Under GHS, all substances which meet harmonized criteria for hazards should have MSDS
- 16 headings under the GHS
16 Heading SDS
- Substance & supplier identification
- Hazard identification
- Composition/ ingredients
- First aid
- Fire-fighting measures
- Accidental release measures
- Handling and storage
- Exposure controls/personal protection
- Physical/chemical properties
- Stability/reactivity
- Toxicological information
- Ecological information
- Disposal
- Transport information
- Regulatory information
- Other
WHMIS Implementation Issues for GHS
- Classification related
- Label related
- MSDS related
- Employer related
- Trade secret related
- Application of the HPA
- Transition
Next Steps
- WHMIS multi-stakeholder Current Issues Committee
- Non-regulatory issues
- Administrative issues
- Regulatory / legislative issues
- Regulatory amendments prepared as necessary
- Phase in (?)
- Implementation Complete
WHMIS on the WWW
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