The transition to WHMIS 2015 included a three-stage transition period that is synchronized nationally across federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions. The Government of Canada approved Orders in Council to extend the WHMIS 2015 transition timelines – specifically, two of the milestones for transition (for phases 1 and 2) were deferred. The specific information, which is now included as a Q and A on the MOL’s website (https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/topics/whmis.php), is set out below:
How will the transition from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015 take place?
The transition to WHMIS 2015 will take place in three phases. The first phase began on February 11, 2015 when the amended federal Hazardous Products Act and new Hazardous Products Regulations came into force. The final phase will end on December 1, 2018. During this period, WHMIS 1988 will be slowly phased out as outlined below.
Phase 1 began on February 11, 2015 and will end on May 31, 2018. During Phase 1:
suppliers who are chemical manufacturers or importers may sell hazardous products with either the old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets or the new ones;
employers may receive and use hazardous products with either the old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets or the new ones. As of June 1, 2018, chemical manufacturers and importers must sell hazardous products with labels and safety data sheets that comply with the new WHMIS 2015 requirements.
Phase 2 begins on June 1, 2018 and ends on August 31, 2018. During Phase 2:
suppliers who are chemical distributors may continue to sell hazardous products with either the old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets or the new ones; and,
employers may continue to receive and use hazardous products with either the old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets or the new ones.
As of September 1, 2018, distributors must sell hazardous products that comply with WHMIS 2015 requirements only. The transition to WHMIS 2015 will be complete for all suppliers.
Phase 3 begins on September 1, 2018 and ends on November 30, 2018. During Phase 3:
employers should only be receiving hazardous products with WHMIS 2015 labels and safety data sheets 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 must be complete for all parties. There should be no hazardous products in the workplace with old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets.
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