Understanding the WHMIS 2025 regulations is crucial for all Canadian employers, workers, and health and safety professionals. These updates bring Canada’s system for workplace hazardous materials into closer alignment with international standards while refining hazard classes, classification rules, and labelling requirements.

Whether you’re updating safety protocols or scheduling WHMIS training in Canada, this guide will help you navigate the changes with confidence.

What Is WHMIS & Why It Matters

WHMIS stands for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System – Canada’s national communication standard for hazardous workplace substances. It’s designed to protect workers from illness, injury, or accidents caused by hazardous products.

First implemented in 1988, WHMIS was significantly amended on December 15, 2022, to align with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Revision 7 and select elements of Revision 8. A transition period will run until December 14, 2025, providing suppliers and workplaces with sufficient time to comply with the new requirements.

Why WHMIS matters:

  • It provides a unified method for classifying and labelling hazardous materials.
  • It helps employers meet legal obligations under Canada’s Hazardous Products Regulations.
  • It supports worker safety through clear labels, symbols, and training

What’s New in WHMIS 2025 (Canada)

The WHMIS amendments build upon the 2015 system, updating product classification, hazard communication, and safety documentation.

Key updates include:

  • New hazard class:
    • Chemicals Under Pressure
  • Revised classifications:
    • Aerosols (renamed, with a new Category 3: non-flammable)
    • Flammable Gases (now split into Category 1A and 1B)
    • Pyrophoric Gases (repealed, now part of Flammable Gases Category 1A)
  • Updated SDS requirements:
    • Narrower ranges for ingredient concentrations
    • Additional details for physical and chemical properties
    • Broader disclosure of hazardous ingredients
  • Clarified criteria across health hazard classes
  • Transition period ends December 14, 2025

These changes ensure that Canada’s WHMIS compliance standards align with global trade practices and modern hazard communication standards.

WHMIS Labels and SDS Updates

Clear labelling is at the heart of WHMIS. With the 2025 updates, labels and symbols are more consistent and aligned with global formats.

What’s changing?

  • Chemicals Under Pressure require updated label elements, but no new WHMIS pictograms were created.
  • More consistent formatting for signal words and precautionary statements.
  • Labels reference updated hazard categories, especially for aerosols and flammable gases.

Employers must ensure that all workplace containers and supplier products comply with these WHMIS label requirements by the transition deadline.

WHMIS Training Requirements in Canada

One of the most critical compliance steps is worker education. Employers must continue to provide WHMIS training, but the content must now include the updated hazard classes, revised labels, and SDS requirements.

Training must be:

  • Ongoing, not a one-time event
  • Tailored to job roles
  • Updated whenever regulations or hazards change

By refreshing your WHMIS training requirements in 2025, you’ll ensure employees can confidently identify, interpret, and respond to hazardous products.

On the Blog: Working for Workers Seven Act 2025 In Ontario

What Do the WHMIS 2025 Changes Mean for You?

The amendments align Canada’s workplace safety standards more effectively with the GHS and include a transition period that ends on December 14, 2025. They introduce new classifications, updated SDS requirements, and highlight the importance of ongoing, role-specific training.

Build a Safer Workplace with Auspice Safety

Stay ahead of WHMIS 2025 with Auspice Safety.

Our team provides expert-led training, compliance audits, and workplace assessments to ensure you meet the latest WHMIS compliance standards in Canada. Whether you’re managing a construction crew, a manufacturing line, or an office, we tailor our services to your specific needs. Don’t wait for the compliance deadline—contact us today.