Home
Print

GENERAL

GENERAL

Most common non-compliances

  • A hazardous product being sold or imported in Canada does not have a label affixed to, printed on or attached to the hazardous product or the container in which the hazardous product is packaged.
  • The hazard information appearing on the safety data sheet and label is not the same, presenting inconsistent hazard information for the same product.
  • There is incorrect, misleading or ambiguous information disclosed on the label.
  • The information on the label is not presented in both English and French.
  • Information is cut short on a label during printing or production.
  • A label is based on the requirements of the repealed Controlled Products Regulations instead of the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) that is currently in force.
  • The pictogram, signal word and hazard statement(s) are not grouped together on the label.

Tips

  • A supplier selling or importing a hazardous product intended for use, handling or storage in a workplace in Canada must ensure that a label that complies with the requirements of the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) is affixed, printed on or attached to the hazardous products or the container in which the hazardous product is packaged.
  • All information on the label, including any information not required by the HPR, must not be false, misleading, or likely to create an erroneous impression about the hazardous product.
  • The hazard information required to be disclosed on the label of a hazardous product must be consistent with the hazard information presented on its safety data sheet.
    • For example, if the safety data sheet discloses the signal word “Danger” and the corresponding hazard and precautionary statements for a particular hazard class (and category), the label must also disclose the same signal word and matching hazard and precautionary statements, as applicable.
  • The required information must be clearly and prominently displayed on a surface visible under normal conditions of use. The label must be easily legible without the aid of any device other than corrective lenses.

  • The label must remain durable and legible under normal conditions of transport and use throughout the lifetime of the hazardous product. This includes staying affixed to, printed on, written on, or attached to the hazardous product or the container. The label must not fade, run, rub off, peel, or deteriorate upon exposure to light, as applicable.

  • Suppliers must ensure that the labels and safety data sheets of hazardous products comply with the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and HPR currently in force.
    • For example, labels must use the pictograms in the HPR, and not the hazard symbols from the repealed Controlled Products Regulations.
  • The information on the label must be available in English and French, presented as either a single bilingual label or in a group of information elements in two unilingual parts. 
  • The supplier must keep the label for six years after the end of the year to which it relates.
  • The pictogram(s), signal word and hazard statement(s) must be grouped together.
  • Additional tips can be found in the Technical Guidance on the Requirements of the Hazardous Products Act and the Hazardous Products Regulations.
Date page last modified:
2024-04-12