WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is a Canada-wide classification system designed to provide workplace standards for the control, handling, storage, and disposal of regulated products.
WHMIS is law under the Canada Labour Code and is applied in Ontario as a regulation under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA).
GHS is Globally Harmonized System, which is an international initiative to standardize chemical hazard classification, labeling, and communication globally. WHMIS is not expected to be replaced with GHS but rather will incorporate its elements. When implemented in Canada, there will be new standardized classification rules, label requirements and safety data sheet (SDS) formats.
Health Canada’s goal is to have the updated WHMIS laws in force by June 2015.
In Ontario, employers will be expected to bring their WHMIS programs into alignment with GHS by June 2016. Exact timelines to be determined, watch this space for an update.
