Paint and Coatings Industry Transition to WHMIS 2015
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's national hazard communication standard. Canada has adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling for chemicals (GHS). WHMIS is transitioning from the old 1988 program to the new 2015 program, adopted by Canada and its trading partners.
What Is New?
Labels and SDS. Under WHMIS 2015, product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are required to have matching Hazard Pictograms (surrounded by a red frame), Signal Words and Hazard Statements based on the specific chemistry in the container.
Sample WHMIS 2015 Pictograms, Hazard Statements as seen on a product label:
Sample WHMIS 2015 Pictograms, Hazard Statements as seen on a the product's SDS:
Supply of SDS to Customers. An SDS will be supplied to the Customer in both official languages (English and French) the first time a product is purchased. When products are mixed with colourants and/or thinners to achieve the colour specific to the Customer’s needs the resulting mixture may produce a unique set of Pictograms, Signal Words and Hazard Statements, specific to that mix. A custom SDS patch label and matching SDS will be generated.
WHMIS 2015 SDS Format. The new format SDS contains 16 sections and can be upward of 25 pages in length, depending upon the chemistry, for each language. Customers can expect to receive an extensive amount of documentation to accompany their regular paint orders.
Supply Methods to Customers. The legislation allows Customers to take printed SDS or have SDS emailed at the point at which ownership of the product changes hands from the Supplier to the Customer - either at the point of sale or via delivery vehicle.
What Is The Responsibility of the Customer?
Under WHMIS 2015, Customers are to be provided SDS in English and French that match the product label, specific to the material in the container - whether it is not tinted or custom-mixed at the factory or store level. For products that are not tinted, the SDS and label that is generated when the product leaves the factory is available. For products that are custom-tinted for the Customer, Cloverdale Paint will be supplying custom SDS and a custom, matching decal for the hazardous materials listings on the container. Customers are to have the matching SDS and product label available for Inspectors to review.
What is the Transition Period to WHMIS 2015?
The transition to WHMIS 2015 allows Suppliers (Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors) time to make regulatory and system adjustments to move non-compliant MSDS and product labels out of the supply chain.
June 1 - August 31, 2018 (Phase 2). Manufacturers and importers are required to sell or import hazardous products with labels and SDS that are compliant with WHMIS 2015. Distributors can continue to sell hazardous products with labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS, WHMIS 1988) / Safety Data Sheets (SDS, WHMIS 2015) that are compliant with WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015.
September 1 - November 30, 2018 (Phase 3). Suppliers are required to sell or import only those hazardous products that are compliant with WHMIS 2015. Transition to WHMIS 2015 is complete for all suppliers.
Where Can I Find More Information
Please note - by following these links, you will be taken away from the Cloverdale Paint web site.
canada.ca Government of Canada and WHMIS 2015
canada.ca Government of Canada WHMIS 2015 Transition Phases
whmis.org Canada's National WHMIS Portal
ccohs.ca Fact Sheets from Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety