2026: Upcoming Hazard Communication Deadlines
The regulatory landscape for hazard communication is undergoing a significant shift globally. As governments worldwide adopt newer versions of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and regional frameworks evolve to reflect deeper environmental and chronic health concerns, the next 12 months will present both compliance challenges and strategic opportunities for manufacturers operating internationally.
This briefing outlines the major regulatory updates affecting classification, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and labelling requirements between now and mid-2026. While not exhaustive, it highlights the priority areas most likely to impact global chemical supply chains and product marketability. It also profiles how Yordas Group’s Managed Service solution can help organisations stay ahead of compliance obligations by integrating scientific accuracy with digital infrastructure and regulatory expertise.
European Union: New Hazard Classes and ATP Updates - Numerous Deadlines
New Hazard Classes - 1 May 2025
CLP Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707 – Effective 1 May 2025 (Substances). The EU’s Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation introduces Six new hazard classes under Delegated Regulation 2023/707, reflecting increasing concern about long-term environmental and endocrine effects. These are:
Endocrine Disruptors for human health
Endocrine Disruptors for the environment
Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT)
Very Persistent, Very Bioaccumulative (vPvB)
Persistent, Mobile and Toxic (PMT)
Very Persistent, Very Mobile (vPvM)
From 1 May 2025, all new substances placed on the EU market must be assessed against these hazard classes, with mandatory classification, SDS updates, and C&L notifications. For mixtures, this obligation begins on 1 November 2026.
This creates a dual burden for manufacturers:
Scientific complexity (weight-of-evidence evaluations, data gaps)
Strategic implications (Classification, SDS, labelling, PCN updates, substances classified under these categories may face future restrictions under REACH)
CLP 21st and 2nd Adaptations to Technical Progress (ATPs) - 1 September 2025
The 21st ATP introduces harmonised classifications for over 25 substances, effective 1 September 2025, including key solvents and industrial chemicals now reclassified for carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity. The 2nd ATP (to Regulation 1272/2008) had earlier reinforced classifications for several widely-used substances, many of which will now require updates to SDSs, labelling, and internal product evaluations.
Impact: Portfolio reviews are essential, especially for companies relying on third-party suppliers for SDSs. Misalignment with harmonised classifications exposes businesses to enforcement and downstream disruption.
Canada: WHMIS 2022 – Deadline 15 December 2025
Canada’s updated Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2022) fully aligns with GHS Revision 7 and introduces:
New hazard categories (e.g. non-flammable aerosols, chemicals under pressure)
Revised classification thresholds
Expanded SDS content requirements (notably Sections 9 and 14)
More flexible labelling requirements, including revised precautionary statements
By 15 December 2025, all suppliers (manufacturers, importers, and distributors) must reclassify products, revise SDSs, and update labels to comply with the new standard. There will be no grace period beyond this date.
Implications for manufacturers:
Reclassification under WHMIS 2022 is not a copy-paste from other GHS jurisdictions; localised SDS formatting and Canadian-specific statements are required
Suppliers using GHS 7 in the US or EU will still need to author distinct SDSs for Canadian customers
Risk: Non-compliance after the deadline may trigger enforcement actions under the Hazardous Products Act, including fines, product recalls, or import refusals.
United States: HazCom 2024 – Deadline 19 January 2026 (Substances)
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) was updated in May 2024 to align with GHS Revision 7. The new rule is already in effect, but companies have until:
19 January 2026 to update SDSs and labels for substances
19 July 2027 for mixtures
What’s new:
Revised definitions and classification criteria (e.g. flammable gases, aerosols, desensitised explosives)
Expanded SDS requirements (new physical property disclosures in Section 9, changes to Section 3)
Revised label elements, including more precise precautionary statements
Additional requirements for small containers and bulk shipments
Impact on business:
Reclassification of substances is mandatory
New SDSs and label formats must be prepared and distributed across supply chains
Worker training programmes must be revised to reflect new label elements and hazard classes
Penalties for non-compliance can include citations and product delays, particularly for organisations placing products on the US market without up-to-date SDSs.
China: General GB 30000.1 GHS 8 Alignment – Deadline 1 August 2025
China has confirmed the update of part 1 of its GB 30000 General Rules for hazardous chemicals to align with GHS Revision 8, effective 1 August 2025. The update includes:
Revised classification thresholds and additional classifications to consider
SDS format and content updates
Changes to label elements, layout and packaging requirements
Why this matters:
SDS and label compliance is mandatory for market access. Any failure to update documentation may result in customs delays or regulatory action by local authorities
Multinational companies selling the same product across Asia must account for China’s distinct regulatory context, even if SDSs are already GHS-aligned in other jurisdictions
Practical challenge: SDSs in China must also comply with national standards (e.g. GB 30000.1-2024), often requiring translation and localisation by regulatory professionals familiar with the system.
Other Notable Developments
While not covered in full detail, the following regulatory changes also bear watching for their impact on SDS authoring and downstream requirements:
Brazil: From 4 July 2025, new SDS regulations under NBR 14725:2023 take effect, requiring format and terminology changes (e.g. replacing “FISPQ” with “FDS”), GHS 7 classifications, and local emergency contact information.
South Korea: By 16 January 2026, all companies (including low-volume importers) must submit SDSs to the Ministry of Employment and Labour. Non-submission renders SDSs non-compliant and can block market access.
Colombia: Between May and August 2025, chemical registration deadlines require submission of accurate, GHS-compliant SDSs, making documentation readiness a prerequisite for market continuity.
Chile: implementation of GHS (Rev.7-based) in phases under Decree 57/2019. Industrial-use mixtures require GHS labeling and SDS by February 9, 2025, while non-industrial (consumer) mixtures have a deadline of February 9, 2027 in accordance with Chile requirements for SDS, labels and classification.
What This Means for Manufacturers
With multiple jurisdictions enforcing classification and SDS reforms in tight succession, manufacturers face overlapping documentation cycles, shifting compliance targets, and resource pressure. Key risks include:
Delays in product release due to incomplete or non-localised SDSs
Loss of customer trust if documents are not up to date by the enforcement deadlines
Penalties or loss of market access for non-compliance in high-regulation regions
These aren’t just technical updates—they represent structural shifts in how hazard information is evaluated, disclosed, and acted upon across global supply chains.
How Yordas Helps: A Fully Managed Approach to SDS Compliance
To meet this growing complexity, Yordas Group offers a comprehensive Managed Service solution that blends expert consultancy with digital infrastructure:
Our Offer:
SDS Audits to identify gaps in classification, authoring, and localisation
Helix SDS Manager, a cloud-based tool for full version control, stakeholder distribution, and multilingual compliance
Dedicated Consultant support to interpret regulatory updates, implement changes, and integrate with your internal workflows or platforms (e.g. SAP, IFS, or Microsoft Dynamics)
Classification, SDS Authoring and Labelling Services to alleviate the burden of reviewing and generating new documentation and keeping it up to date.
Our services are modular and scalable, allowing you to choose one-time support or an embedded model designed to future-proof compliance across all jurisdictions.
Conclusion
The next 12 months represent a regulatory inflexion point for hazard communication. With major updates in the EU, North America, China, and beyond, global manufacturers must act decisively to review classifications, update SDSs, and prepare downstream documentation.
At Yordas, we combine deep regulatory insight with scalable tools and expert consultants to ensure that compliance isn’t just a box-ticking exercise, but a competitive advantage.
To discuss how our Managed Service can support your SDS strategy for 2025–2026, contact the Yordas Hazard Communication team today.
