To comply with regulations, supplier labels in Canada must be bilingual in English and French, and include certain information. The product identifier must be included, which can be the brand name, chemical name, common name, generic name, or trade name of the hazardous product. The initial supplier identifier must also be included, which is the name, address, and telephone number of either the Canadian manufacturer or Canadian importer. Additionally, the label must have a pictogram representing the hazard, a signal word indicating the severity of the hazard, standardized hazard and precautionary statements, and any necessary supplemental label information. The distributor may replace the initial supplier identifier with their own contact information if they are selling the product, and if an importer is using the product in their own workplace, they may retain the name, address, and telephone number of the foreign supplier on the SDS instead of replacing it with their own contact information.
Here is a list of important information that must be included on a supplier label:
- Product Identifier: This can be the brand name, chemical name, common name, generic name, or trade name of the hazardous product.
- Initial Supplier Identifier: This is the name, address, and telephone number of either the Canadian manufacturer or Canadian importer.
- Pictograms: These are hazard symbols within a red square set on one of its points.
- Signal Word: This is a word used to alert the reader to a potential hazard and to indicate the severity of the hazard.
- Hazard Statements: These are standardized phrases which describe the nature of the hazard posed by a hazardous product.
- Precautionary Statements: These are standardized phrases that describe measures to be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous product or resulting from improper handling or storage of a hazardous product.
- Supplemental Label Information: Some supplemental label information is required based on the classification of the product. This may include information about precautionary actions, hazards not yet included in the GHS, physical state, or route of exposure.
It’s important to note that supplier labels in Canada must be bilingual in English and French, and providing a supplier label in just one language would not be considered compliant. The distributor may replace the initial supplier identifier with their own contact information if they are selling the product, and if an importer is using the product in their own workplace, they may retain the name, address, and telephone number of the foreign supplier on the SDS instead of replacing it with their own contact information.
