OSHA’s HazCom final rule is here!

OSHA’s Hazard Communication (HazCom) final rule was released May 20, over three years after it was proposed. The changes take effect July 19. There are staggered compliance dates for chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors evaluating substances (January 19, 2026) and mixtures (July 19, 2027). Employers have six months beyond those dates (July 20, 2026, for substances and January 19, 2028, for mixtures) to update any alternative workplace labeling, update their HazCom program, and provide any additional employee training for newly identified physical, health, or other hazards. See our article "Huge OSHA HazCom rule likely impacts YOU" for a summary of the changes.

The final rule aligns the Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) with Revision 7 of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS); HazCom was last updated in 2012 to align with GHS Revision 3. GHS is an international approach to hazard communication that provides harmonized definitions of hazards, specific criteria for labels, and a 16-section format for safety data sheets (SDSs).

The rule also incorporates several letters of interpretation OSHA issued since the HazCom rule was last updated. An overview of the changes includes:

• New definitions for bulk shipment, combustible dust, gas, immediate outer package, liquid, physician or other license health care professional (PLHCP), released for shipment, and solid
• Revised definitions for exposure or exposed, hazardous chemical, and physical hazard
• Labeling requirements for certain very small containers and bulk containers
• Significant changes to the flammable gas hazard class
• Revised health hazard statements and precautionary statements

Chemical manufacturers, distributors, and importers must reclassify aerosols, desensitized explosives, and flammable gases, and make corresponding changes to safety data sheets (SDSs) and labels.

Employers must maintain any new SDSs received and update any of their own alternative in-house labels as necessary. Employees must be trained on the updates to SDSs and labels for impacted aerosols, desensitized explosives, and flammable gases.