OSHA Working with Health Canada on GHS Alignment
The agencies plan to implement a system allowing the use of one label and one safety data sheet that would be acceptable in both countries.
OSHA's chief announced May 28 that the agency will continue its partnership with Health Canada to align U.S. and Canadian regulatory approaches regarding chemical labeling and classification through the Regulatory Cooperation Council. The announcement came five days before the June 1 deadline by which chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers are required to comply with OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard (except that distributors have six more months to ensure they do not ship containers labeled by a chemical manufacturer or importer unless it is a GHS label).
"We work in a global environment with varying and sometimes conflicting national and international requirements," Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels said. "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."
The agencies plan to implement a system allowing the use of one label and one safety data sheet that would be acceptable in both countries. OSHA and Health Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding two years ago to promote their collaboration on implementing GHS.
OSHA aligned its standard with the GHS in March 2012, and Canada published a similar regulation in February 2015.