June 2023 issue: Workplace Hazardous Products Program newsletter
On this page
- Your questions answered: Amendments to the Hazardous Products Regulations
- Survey results: Consultation on proposal to remove consumer product exclusion
- Publication of label compliance tool
- Engagement
- Future newsletter content
- Important WHMIS websites
Your questions answered: Amendments to the Hazardous Products Regulations
You asked, we answered! The summary of questions and answers from the February 2023 webinars and the May 2023 multi-stakeholder workshop on the amendments of the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) is now available.
We shared this with stakeholders and partners on June 20, 2023.
If you would like to receive a copy, please contact us: whmis-simdut@hc-sc.gc.ca.
Learn more about the HPR amendments and the transition period.
Survey results: Consultation on proposal to remove consumer product exclusion
Initial survey results from the consultation on the proposal to remove the consumer product exclusion from the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) are in!
The consultation sought feedback on the benefits and shortcomings of the proposal, as well as general comments.
32 complete responses were received that span several stakeholder groups.
Stakeholders identified potential benefits, including:
- enhanced communications of hazards could better protect workers
- access to reliable safety data sheets would help employers train workers who use consumer products
- for some suppliers, minimal additional work would be required to comply with new requirements as safety data sheets are already available for some products
Stakeholders also identified potential shortcomings, including:
- possibility for confusion due to varied regulations for products and the introduction of requirements from 2 regulatory frameworks (HPA safety data sheets versus Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 labels)
- administrative burden and costs could be limiting, particularly for smaller businesses
- proposal does not go far enough to address worker safety concerns
- not enough data showing that there is an issue with the use of consumer products in the workplace
We will continue to analyze stakeholder feedback and consider next steps, including refining the proposal and conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis.
Publication of label compliance tool
A new label compliance tool is now available on WHMIS.org.
This tool provides an overview of common label non-compliances and includes tips and best practices to help suppliers prepare hazardous product labels.
It is a companion tool to the safety data sheet compliance tool.
Engagement
Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association Interface
The Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate (CHPSD) attended the annual Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association Interface as a guest speaker on May 2, 2023.
As part of a presentation on work undertaken by CHPSD, the Directorate shared updates from the Workplace Hazardous Products Program (WHPP):
- HPR amendments, transition period and implementation
- early signal to interested parties of the intent to gather additional data to inform approach on document retention requirements, specifically "true copy"
- WHPP's modernized stakeholder engagement approach
May 2023 multi-stakeholder workshop
On May 24 and 25, 2023, WHPP hosted its inaugural multi-stakeholder workshop. This was the first engagement event since the September 2022 closure of the former advisory body, the WHMIS Current Issues Committee.
More than 250 participants attended the workshop, representing numerous sectors in the WHMIS community.
WHPP provided Program updates and information on a variety of topics, including:
- implementation of a modernized Hazardous Materials Information Review Act
- regulatory files, such as the proposal to remove the consumer product exclusion from the HPA
- a summary of the themes and top questions received during the February 2023 webinar on the amendments to the HPR
- a summary of results from the 2018-19 HPA inspections
An industry representative gave a presentation on the advantages of using QR codes for safety data sheets.
There was active engagement following each presentation, with particular interest in:
- consumer product exclusion under the HPA
- considerations for the use of QR codes on safety data sheets
- implementation and application of the amended HPR
- barriers to achieving compliance under the HPA
Materials were shared with all participants following the workshop. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact us: whmis-simdut@hc-sc.gc.ca.
The intent of this forum is to facilitate engagement and dialogue across the WHMIS community to improve perspective and knowledge-sharing. We encourage all stakeholders and partners to consider leading agenda topics and discussions for future multi-stakeholder workshops.
Future newsletter content
Is there a topic that you would like us to include in a future newsletter? We would love to hear from you. Email us at whmis-simdut@hc-sc.gc.ca.
Important WHMIS websites
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