OSHA has issued a final rule that updates the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align primarily with the seventh revision of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The final rule was published on May 20, 2024 and takes effect on July 19, 2024.
The updated standard will improve the standard’s effectiveness by better informing employees about chemical hazards in the workplace. This final rule will increase worker protections and reduce the incidences of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries by further improving the information on the labels and safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals. The final rule will also address issues arising since implementation of the 2012 standard and improve alignment with other federal agencies and Canada.
Established in 1983, the HCS provides a standardized approach to communicating workplace hazards associated with exposure to dangerous chemicals. OSHA updated the standard in 2012 to align with the third revision of the GHS. The system provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information.
The HCS requires employers to provide information to their employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed, by means of a hazard communication program, labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets (SDSs), and information and training, also known as the “right-to-know” regulation.
The amended rule (1) revises criteria for classification of certain health and physical hazards; (2) revises provisions for updating labels; (3) provides new labeling provisions for small containers; and (4) provides new provisions related to trade secrets and technical amendments related to the contents of SDSs, including requiring a specified 16-section format for SDSs. The updated standard makes changes to help ensure trade secrets no longer prevent workers and first responders from receiving critical hazard information on SDSs. Employers who use chemical products that have SDSs will also have to update their training and chemical hazard communication programs for workers.
Employers using products covered under the standard must update their HazCom programs, labeling and employee training by July 20, 2026, or January 19, 2028 depending on substances or mixtures.
