Canada is approaching a major regulatory deadline: the WHMIS 2022 compliance deadline on December 15, 2025. After this date, all hazardous products sold, imported or used in Canadian workplaces must meet the updated Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) introduced in 2022. These changes significantly affect suppliers, employers, and workers across all provinces and territories.
This comprehensive guide explains what WHMIS is, its history, why Canada updated the system, what changes will finish taking effect in 2025, and what organizations must do to remain compliant.
What Is WHMIS? (Full Definition)
WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It is Canada’s national hazard communication standard, designed to ensure workers have consistent and clear information about hazardous products used in workplaces.
WHMIS has three core components:
- Hazard Identification and Classification and Labels: Defining the type and level of hazard (e.g., flammable, toxic, corrosive) and standardized symbols and hazard/precautionary statements on containers (labels).
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS): 16-section documents providing detailed safety information.
- Education & Training: Employers must train workers to recognize hazards and safely handle products.
History of WHMIS in Canada
1. WHMIS 1988 — The Original System
Introduced under the Hazardous Products Act, this was Canada’s first national hazard communication framework.
It required:
- Supplier labels
- Workplace labels
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Employee training
However, every country used different classification rules, causing confusion for multinational companies.
2. WHMIS 2015 — Major Update with GHS Alignment
In 2015, WHMIS was updated to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Why WHMIS 2015 was introduced:
- Improve worker protection
- Reduce trade barriers
- Standardize hazard communication globally
- Replace MSDS with SDS
- Introduce new pictograms and hazard classes
Implementation ran from 2015 to 2018, after which WHMIS 2015 became the national standard.
3. WHMIS 2022 Amendments → WHMIS 2025 Deadline
In December 2022, Health Canada amended the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) to align with:
- GHS Revision 7, and
- Selected elements of GHS Revision 8
The 2022 amendments triggered a three-year transition period ending on December 15, 2025.
After this date, organizations must use only WHMIS 2022-compliant:
- Hazard classifications
- SDS
- Labels
Why Canada Updated WHMIS Again
Canada updated WHMIS to:
1. Improve Worker Safety
- More accurate hazard information reduces workplace injuries, exposures, and incidents.
2. Maintain Global Alignment (GHS Rev. 7 & 8)
- The UN regularly updates GHS; Canada must align to reduce trade issues and maintain consistency.
3. Clarify Hazard Categories
- Some classifications were too broad or ambiguous — the update fixes this.
4. Reduce Inconsistencies Between SDSs and Labels
- Suppliers often used mixed formats; the update standardizes content.
5. Support International Trade
- Manufacturers and importers benefit from harmonized rules across major markets (U.S., EU, Asia).
6. Improve Transparency for Workers and Employers
- The new rules require clearer ingredient disclosure and more detailed SDS information.
What’s Changing Under WHMIS 2022?
1. New Hazard Classes & Subcategories
Examples:
- Chemicals Under Pressure (new hazard class)
- Revised Flammable Gases categories
- Changes to Aerosols
- Updated Oxidizing Gases and Oxidizing Liquids
2. Revised SDS Requirements
Sections with major changes:
- Section 9 (Physical & Chemical Properties): must include more data such as melting point, pH, solubility, vapour pressure.
- Section 14 (Transport Information): must be more detailed and follow transportation standards.
3. Full Hazardous Ingredient Disclosure
Suppliers must list all hazardous ingredients above cut-off concentrations, even if they don’t affect product classification.
4. More Precise Classification Criteria
Updates address inconsistencies in:
- Corrosive materials
- Toxicity levels
- Flammability
- Stability/reactivity
5. Label Improvements
Labels must include:
- Updated hazard statements
- Revised precautionary statements
- Clearer signal words
- WHMIS 2022 pictograms only
6. Consistency Requirements
A product’s SDS and label must use the same revision version. Mixed versions are no longer allowed.
Who Must Comply with WHMIS 2022?
1. Suppliers (Primary Responsibility)
Includes:
- Manufacturers
- Importers
- Distributors
They must reclassify products, update SDSs, and relabel everything by December 2025.
2. Employers (Legal Obligations Under OHS Legislation)
The change applies across all provinces and territories.
Employers must:
- Maintain updated SDSs (must be less than 3 years old)
- Ensure labels and SDSs match supplier versions
- Train workers on updated WHMIS content
- Keep training records
- Update their hazard inventory
3. Workers
Workers must:
- Take updated WHMIS training
- Recognize new pictograms and hazard classes
- Follow revised safe-handling practices
- Report missing/incorrect labels
WHMIS Transition Period Explained
The transition period runs from:
December 15, 2022 → December 14, 2025
During this time:
- Suppliers may use either the old or new WHMIS rules
- But SDSs + labels for a product must match the same version
After December 15, 2025:
✔ Only WHMIS 2022 is allowed
✘ Old WHMIS 2015 formats will be non-compliant
Penalties for WHMIS Non-Compliance (Canada-Wide)
Under the Hazardous Products Act, penalties include:
Criminal Penalties
Indictable offences:
- Up to $5,000,000 in fines
- Up to 2 years imprisonment
- Or both
Summary conviction:
- First offence: up to $250,000 or 6 months in jail
- Subsequent offences: up to $500,000 or 18 months in jail
Other Enforcement Measures
- Corrective orders
- SDS/label recalls
- Import refusal
- Product seizure
- Workplace inspections
- Requirement to produce training records
Civil Liability
If a worker is harmed due to incorrect WHMIS information, employers and suppliers may face:
- Lawsuits
- Insurance disputes
- Reputational damage
What Organizations Must Do Before December 15, 2025
Supplier Checklist
- Reclassify hazardous products
- Update SDSs to WHMIS 2025 format
- Update all labels
- Ensure bilingual compliance (English/French)
- Train sales/support teams on regulatory changes
- Prepare documentation for audits
Employer Checklist
- Update your hazardous product inventory
- Replace outdated SDSs and labels
- Conduct updated WHMIS training for all workers
- Document training dates and participant names
- Audit storage areas for outdated labels
- Communicate the change to your staff
Worker Checklist
- Complete WHMIS 2022 training
- Learn updated pictograms and hazard statements
- Review new SDS format
- Report missing or damaged workplace labels
Why Updated WHMIS Training Is Critical
Updated WHMIS education ensures:
- Compliance with provincial OHS laws
- Reduced workplace incidents
- Clear understanding of revised hazard criteria
- Correct interpretation of SDSs and labels
Employers must ensure training reflects the WHMIS 2022 changes.
Friendly Frequently Asked Questions
What is WHMIS?
WHMIS is Canada’s hazard communication system that provides standardized labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and worker training for hazardous products used in workplaces.
When does WHMIS 2022 become mandatory?
WHMIS 2022 becomes mandatory on December 15, 2025, after the three-year transition period ends.
Why was WHMIS updated in 2022?
To align with the GHS Revisions 7 and 8, improve hazard clarity, enhance SDS details, increase ingredient transparency, and provide better protection for Canadian workers.
Who enforces WHMIS in Canada?
Health Canada regulates suppliers. Provincial and territorial occupational health and safety regulators enforce WHMIS in workplaces.
Do employers need to retrain staff?
Yes. Employers must provide updated WHMIS 2022 training to ensure workers understand new hazard classes and labelling rules.
What happens if a supplier fails to follow WHMIS?
Non-compliance may result in fines up to $5 million, imprisonment, product seizure, import refusal, or corrective orders.
HRC Tip: The previous regulations were called WHMIS 2015. The updated training, already available in our training portal, is WHMIS 2022. Please check in with us via the HUB if you do not already have access to WHMIS 2022 to assign to your employees.
Source: Amendments to the Hazardous Products Regulations – Canada.ca