Canada Proposes Removing Consumer Product Exclusion from HPA

By Krystal Spickler, program manager, Supply Chain, UL Solutions 

Health Canada has requested feedback on its intent for proposal to remove the consumer product exclusion currently listed in the Hazardous Products Act (HPA).  

Consumer products (as defined by the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act) are listed in Schedule 1 of the HPA and therefore exempt from the requirements as they pertain to labeling and safety data sheets. 

Health Canada confirmed proposed revisions might include removal of the exclusion. This change would require that safety data sheets are furnished upon request for consumer goods classified as hazardous.  The consultation notice does note that possible changes would still exempt suppliers of consumer products from the labeling requirements outlined in the HPA and Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR). The proposal is geared at increasing communication to ensure that workers and employees are aware of hazards associated with the products during use, storage, or handling.  For consumer products considered to be hazardous under the law, workers and employers would have access to the requisite information prescribed by the HPA and HPR.

The comment period is open until Feb. 23, 2023. Labor organizations, employers, workers, and Industry stakeholders, in addition to other governmental partners are encouraged to provide feedback. Interested parties can reach out to the email captioned in the formal consultation notice for further direction. Future proposed amendments would be published in the Canada Gazette for additional consultation. 

References

• Consultation: Notice of Intent for proposal to remove the consumer product exclusion from the Hazardous Products Act
• Hazardous Products Act
• Hazardous Products Regulations