Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS): Implementation at 3M Company

Yes. In May 2012, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) aligned its existing Hazard Communication Standard with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), resulting in the Hazard Communication Standard 2012 (HazCom 2012). As a result, OSHA now requires one standardized format for safety data sheets (SDSs) and prescribed wording and hazard symbols on labels. As with the old standard, HazCom 2012 does not apply to consumer products.

On February 11, 2015, the Government of Canada published in the Canada Gazette, Part II the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR), which, in addition to the amendments made to the Hazardous Products Act under the Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No.1, modified the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 1988 to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) for workplace chemicals. This modified WHMIS is referred to as WHMIS 2015. The Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the Ingredient Disclosure List have been repealed.

A label or SDS that is compliant with HazCom 2012 may not be sufficient for compliance in Canada. The supplier must be compliant with the Canadian requirements, whether the CPR or the HPR.

3M Automotive is working with our Canadian counterparts to implement a process for applying compliant labels to products included in this standard that are used in the U.S.