Joint OSHA/Health Canada Guidance on Regulatory 

Processes for Hazardous Products in the Workplace 

Level of 

government or 

responsible party

United States Canada

Federal The Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration’s (OSHA’s) Hazard 

Communication Standard (HCS) sets the 

labeling, safety data sheet (SDS), and training 

requirements for chemical manufacturers, 

importers, distributors, and employers who 

produce, import, and use hazardous chemicals 

in the workplace in the United States.

The Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and the 

Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) set the 

labelling and safety data sheet (SDS) 

requirements for suppliers and importers who 

sell or import hazardous products intended for 

use, handling, or storage in workplaces in 

Canada.

Provincial/

Territorial/State

OSHA-approved State Plan states set the 

requirements in their respective states or 

territories for manufacturers, importers, 

distributors, and employers who produce, 

import, and use hazardous chemicals in the 

workplace. State Plan states must have a 

hazard communication standard that is 

identical to, or at least as effective as the 

federal OSHA HCS, and must not unduly 

burden interstate commerce. 

Federal, provincial, and territorial 

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) 

legislation and regulations outline the rights 

and responsibilities of the employer and the 

worker, and the requirements for training. 

OSH regulations are based on a common 

model regulation, the Workplace Hazardous 

Materials Information System (WHMIS) Model 

OSH regulation, which is aligned with the HPA 

and the HPR.

Suppliers Chemical manufacturers and importers must 

evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they 

produce or import, and prepare labels and 

SDSs to convey the hazard information to their 

downstream customers. Suppliers 

(distributors) who sell hazardous products 

must provide HCS-compliant labels and SDSs 

to downstream customers.

Under the HPA, manufacturers, importers, or 

distributors of a hazardous product are all 

considered suppliers. Suppliers who sell

hazardous products must provide HPRcompliant labels and SDSs. Suppliers who 

import hazardous products must obtain or 

prepare HPR-compliant SDSs, and ensure that 

the products have HPR-compliant labels.

Employers Employers must prepare and implement a 

written hazard communication program, ensure

that labels are on containers, maintain and 

provide access to SDSs for all hazardous 

chemicals in their workplace, and inform and 

train workers on the hazards of the chemicals in 

their work areas, including how to identify and 

control hazards, and to protect themselves.

Employers must ensure that all workplace 

hazardous products are labelled, SDSs are 

available to workers, and employees are 

trained on WHMIS. All employees must be 

educated and trained to understand the 

hazards of each product and how to work 

safely with the hazardous products to ensure 

their own protection and the protection of 

their co-workers.

Workers Workers must receive information and 

training provided by their employer on 

hazardous chemicals in their work area.

Workers must participate in WHMIS education 

and training programs, take necessary steps to 

protect themselves and their co-workers, and 

participate in identifying and controlling 

hazards.