WHMIS is changed to the new standards as part of the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) being phased in across Canada that took place between February 2015 to December 2018.
Phase 1
Phase 1 began on February 11, 2015, and ends on May 31, 2018. During Phase 1:
• suppliers who are chemical manufacturers or importers may sell hazardous products with either WHMIS1988 or WHMIS 2015 labels and safety data sheets:
and,
• employers may receive and use hazardous products with either WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015 labels and safety data sheets.
Phase 2
Phase 2 begins on June 1, 2018 and ends on August 31, 2018. During Phase 2:
• chemical manufacturers and importers must comply with the WHMIS 2015 requirements for labels and safety data sheets.
• suppliers who are chemical distributors may continue to sell hazardous products with either WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015 labels and safety data sheets: and,
• employers may continue to receive and use hazardous products with
either WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015 labels and safety data sheets.
Phase 3
Phase 3 begins on September 1, 2018 and ends on November 30, 2018. During Phase 3:
• the transition period for suppliers and distributors is over — they must be in full compliance with WHMIS 2015 requirements for labels and safety data sheets.
• employers should only receive hazardous products with WHMIS 2015 labels and safety data sheets: and,
• employers will have these final six months of the transition to bring their existing inventories of hazardous products into compliance with WHMIS 2015.
By December 1, 2018, the transition to WHMIS 2015 was completed.