Canada Revises HSA and Fees

Health Canada has released new and revised Hazardous Substance Assessments (HSAs) to support compliance with the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR). These updates assist suppliers and manufacturers in accurately classifying hazardous substances and preparing compliant Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and product labels.

New and Revised Substance Assessments

The latest HSAs include new classifications for:

• 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone
• Cristobalite
• Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE)
• Ethylene glycol
• Styrene
• Quartz silica

Additionally, a revised assessment for Acetone has been issued.

These assessments reflect both the former and amended HPR requirements, aiding businesses during the three-year transition period following recent regulatory updates.

Fee Adjustments for CBI Exemption Claims

Effective April 1, 2025, fees for Confidential Business Information (CBI) claims under the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act (HMIRA) have been adjusted. This annual update is indexed to the Consumer Price Index and affects all businesses submitting exemption claims for proprietary information in hazard communication documentation.

Ongoing Regulatory Engagement

As part of continued outreach, the Workplace Hazardous Products Program (WHPP) participated in the 2025 Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association (CCSPA) Annual Government Interface. Key topics included:

• Federal legislative authorities
• U.S.-Canada regulatory alignment
• SDS and label record-keeping obligations
• Modernization efforts under the HMIRA

Call to Action for Industry

Suppliers and other stakeholders are encouraged to:

• Review the new HSAs and updated fee structure
• Provide feedback on current assessments
• Nominate additional substances for review by contacting Health Canada

These efforts aim to ensure effective hazard communication, support regulatory compliance, and promote worker safety across Canadian industries.