The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has

partnered with Health Canada to continue to align United States and Canadian regulatory

approaches to the labelling and classification requirements for workplace chemicals through the

regulatory cooperation council. This partnership aims to maintain consistencies throughout North

America for hazardous chemical labeling. Ultimately, the two organizations hope to implement a

system which allows the use of one label and one safety data sheet in both companies. This

renewed partnership is in response to a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2013 by

OSHA and Health Canada to promote ongoing collaboration on implementing the Globally

Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling in both jurisdictions.

“We work in a global environment with varying and sometimes conflicting national and

international requirements,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and

Health Dr. David Michaels. “Through this partnership, OSHA and Health Canada will work

together to reduce inconsistencies among hazard communication regulations and provide concise

information to protect workers exposed to hazardous chemicals without reducing current

protections.”

OSHA previously aligned its Hazard Communication Standard with the Globally Harmonized

System in March of 2012. So if you are using anything older, then you run the risk of OSHA

citations, hefty fines, and injuries to your employees.

If you have any questions about how this partnership could impact your business or about your

hazardous communication standards in general, please contact us. If you have anything to add

about the importance of updated hazardous communication policies and procedures or about the

importance of this partnership, please leave a comment.