OSHA Extends Its Hazard Communication Standard Compliance Dates
On Jan. 15, 2026, OSHA issued a final rule formally extending the compliance deadlines associated with its updated Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The underlying revision to the standard, intended to align the HCS with the seventh edition of the Globally Harmonized System, was finalized on May 20, 2024, and took effect on July 19, 2024.
Background
On May 20, 2024, OSHA finalized its update to the HCS. In the HCS, it specified dates by which compliance with the updated provisions of the HCS is required for the following:
- Manufacturers;
- Distributors;
- Importers; and
- Employers
OSHA adopted a tiered approach to compliance and finalized two sets of compliance dates for chemical manufacturers, importers and distributors evaluating substances and mixtures. The initial Jan. 19, 2026, compliance deadline for substances was rapidly approaching, but OSHA stated it was not yet prepared with the supporting guidance needed for implementation. OSHA stated that it was unable to finalize guidance documents in time for the regulated community to use them before this date. To allow time for publication and review of the guidance, OSHA states it is extending the initial and subsequent compliance deadlines by four months.
Key Highlights
Under the HCS, manufacturers, importers and distributors evaluating substances were originally required to comply with all revised provisions by Jan. 19, 2026. These revisions require entities to reassess chemical hazards, update container labels and revise safety data sheets (SDS) to align with OSHA’s new classification criteria. OSHA has extended this deadline with the new compliance date set for May 19, 2026.
Furthermore, for chemical mixtures, manufacturers, importers and distributors were required to comply with all revised provisions of the HCS by July 19, 2027. Similar to substances, these revisions include reevaluating the mixture hazards and updating labels and SDSs to meet the updated requirements. OSHA has applied the same four-month extension to this tier, shifting the compliance date to Nov. 19, 2027.
Employers working with individual chemical substances were initially required to update workplace labeling, revise their written HCS program and provide any required supplemental employee training by July 20, 2026. These updates are necessary to reflect revised classification and labeling content received from manufacturers or importers. With OSHA’s extension, these employer obligations must now be completed by Nov. 20, 2026.
Furthermore, employers handling mixtures were originally required to update workplace labeling, revise their HCS program and provide applicable employee training by Jan. 19, 2028. These actions are triggered as new mixture classifications and documentation comes from manufacturers, importers and distributors. OSHA has also extended this deadline by four months, with the new compliance date set for May 19, 2028.
Employer Takeaway
Employers should be prepared for a staggered rollout of updated SDS and chemical labels as manufacturers and distributors meet the extended compliance deadlines. As new hazard information arrives in the workplace, employers will be responsible for updating their written HCS programs, revising on-site labeling systems and providing additional training to employees. Although the deadlines for employer compliance actions have been extended, the changes that were required in the HCS 2024 final rule have not changed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- On 15, 2026, OSHA published the final rule formally extending the compliance deadlines for its HCS.
- On May 19, 2026, manufacturers, importers and distributors evaluating chemical substances must be in full compliance with the revised HCS.
- On Nov. 20, 2026, employers using hazardous substances must complete updates to workplace labeling, written HCS programs and employee training.
- On Nov. 19, 2027, manufacturers, importers and distributors evaluating chemical mixtures are required to meet all revised provisions of the HCS.
- On May 19, 2028, employers working with chemical mixtures must finalize workplace labeling updates, revise HCS programs and provide any additional training to employees.