Reference
WHMIS requirements by jurisdiction
Supplier rules (labels, SDSs, classification) are federal. Employer and worker rules are set by each province and territory, and by the federal government for federally regulated workplaces. They are nearly identical because they were all built on the same model regulation; the table below shows where each one lives and what it asks for.
Every jurisdiction requires: employer-provided education and training before workers handle or could be exposed to hazardous products; labels on every container; a current SDS readily available for every hazardous product; and a review of the program at least annually or when conditions change. Training records are expected everywhere, and some jurisdictions require a written product inventory.
| Jurisdiction | Where WHMIS employer requirements are set |
|---|---|
| Federal | Canada Labour Code Part II; Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part X (Hazardous Substances). Applies to banks, airlines, rail, marine, telecom, federal Crown corporations and the federal public service. |
| Alberta | Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 29 (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) |
| British Columbia | Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 5 (Chemical Agents and Biological Agents), sections 5.3–5.19 (WorkSafeBC) |
| Manitoba | Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 35 (WHMIS) |
| New Brunswick | Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulation (N.B. Reg. 2016-6) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (WorkSafeNB) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act |
| Nova Scotia | Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act |
| Ontario | R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 860 (WHMIS) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act |
| Prince Edward Island | Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act |
| Quebec | Règlement sur l'information concernant les produits dangereux (SIMDUT) under the Act respecting occupational health and safety (CNESST). Training must be in French; this course is not offered in Quebec. |
| Saskatchewan | The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, Part 22 (Hazardous Products) |
| Northwest Territories & Nunavut | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (WHMIS part) under each territory's Safety Act (WSCC) |
| Yukon | Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulations under the Workers' Safety and Compensation Act |
What "review at least annually" means in practice
The regulations don't put an expiry date on worker education. They put a duty on the employer to review the program, in consultation with the health and safety committee or representative, at least once a year and whenever there is a change in conditions or new hazard information. Most employers satisfy this by refreshing worker training every 12 months and keeping the records, which is why a certificate older than a year is often not accepted at hiring. Our certificates show a recommended review date 12 months after completion and our refresher exists to make that cheap.
Federal supplier rules
The Hazardous Products Act and the Hazardous Products Regulations, administered by Health Canada, govern classification, supplier labels and SDSs. The amended regulations aligning Canada with GHS revision 7 became mandatory on December 15, 2025. Our module 8 covers the changes.
This page summarizes where requirements are set; it is not legal advice and regulations change. Check the current text with your jurisdiction's regulator or the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.