OSHA extends updated Hazard Communication Standard compliance dates

Effective Jan. 15, OSHA extended compliance dates for its 2024 updates to the Hazard Communication Standard, or HCS (29 CFR §1910.1200) by four months

In the meantime, chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers may comply with either the previous version of the standard, the updated standard, or both.

OSHA extended the compliance deadlines to give the agency time to publish necessary guidance materials for the regulated community to review before the revised HCS provisions take effect.

Extensions to four compliance deadlines

1. §1910.1200(j)(2)(i) - Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must evaluate substances.
   1. Original date: Jan. 19, 2026
   2. Extended date: May 19, 2026
2. §1910.1200(j)(2)(ii) - Update labeling, hazard communication programs, and provide additional employee training for newly-identified substance hazards.
   1. Original date: July 20, 2026
   2. Extended date: Nov. 20, 2026
3. §1910.1200(j)(3)(i) - Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must evaluate mixtures.
   1. Original date: July 19, 2027
   2. Extended date: Nov. 19, 2027
4. §1910.1200(j)(3)(ii) - Update labeling, hazard communication programs, and provide additional employee training for newly-identified mixture hazards.
   1. Original date: Jan. 19, 2028
   2. Extended date: May 19, 2028

Changes align standard with global guidelines

OSHA’s changes align the HCS with the seventh revision of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

This update to the HCS provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets (SDS).

Changes include:

• Hazard classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.
• Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
• SDS: Will now have a specified 16-section format.
• Information and training: Employers are required to train workers on the new labels elements and SDS format to facilitate recognition and understanding.

The updates 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 SDS 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.

This update will also help reduce trade barriers and result in productivity improvements for American businesses that regularly handle, store, and use hazardous chemicals while providing cost savings for American businesses that periodically update SDS and labels for chemicals covered under the HCS.