Effective January 15, 2026, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) extended compliance dates for the Hazard Communications Standard (HCS, 29 CFR 1910.1200). HCS 2024 aligns the US with GHS Revision 7 as it pertains to the authoring of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), labels, and other HazCom requirements in the workplace.
The compliance dates originally set have been extended four months for manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers making and/or using substances and mixtures. Responsible parties have until such dates below to meet the new compliance requirements for SDS, labels, HazCom programs, and training.
- May 19, 2026: Chemical manufacturers, importers & distributors of substances must update labels & SDSs
- November 20, 2026: Employer updates to workplace labels, HazCom programs, and training for substances
- November 19, 2027: Chemical manufacturers, importers & distributors of mixtures must update labels & SDSs
- May 19, 2028: Employer updates to workplace labels, HazCom programs, and training for mixtures
The updated compliance deadlines follow on from recent minor corrections to the standard, particularly regarding definitions for ‘chemicals under pressure,’ and ‘liquid’ to refer to vapor pressure. OSHA is also still finalizing guidance materials, which are not yet published for HCS 2024.
Our previous guide walks you through the US HazCom and GHS requirements and highlights ways in which H2 can help you navigate these upcoming changes.
Published January 16, 2026