If you sell chemical substances into U.S. workplaces, the first compliance deadline under OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) has now passed.
Earlier this year, we wrote a blog outlining the extensions provided by OSHA.
Manufacturers, importers, and distributors were originally required to evaluate substances by January 19, 2026. OSHA later extended this deadline to May 19, 2026 to provide additional time for the regulated community to review guidance materials and prepare for compliance with the updated requirements aligned with GHS Revision 7 and select provisions from Revision 8.
With the first deadline now behind us, it is important to assess whether your Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), hazard classifications, and labels have been updated to meet the revised requirements.
In addition to the updated HCS requirements, OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication inspection procedures became available and effective on May 19, 2026. The updated instruction provides compliance officers with guidance for evaluating compliance with hazard classification, labeling, SDSs, written Hazard Communication programs, and employee training requirements, helping ensure consistent enforcement across workplaces.
Need Help Determining Your Compliance Status?
Whether you’re unsure if your product is classified as a substance or a mixture, need assistance with hazard classification, or require SDS and label updates to meet OSHA requirements, Dell Tech can help.
Contact Dell Tech today to review your product SDSs, assess your compliance obligations, and ensure your SDSs and labels are accurate, current, and ready for OSHA enforcement.
Blog Author
Kirsten Alcock, H.BSc.
Kirsten Alcock is the Director of Product Safety at Dell Tech, with over 25 years of experience in regulatory affairs and hazard communication. She specializes in safety data sheets, labeling, and chemical compliance across Canadian and U.S. regulations, and is an active leader in the chemical hazard communication community.
