If your business handles hazardous chemicals, big changes are coming your way. OSHA has issued important updates to its Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom or HCS) under 29 CFR 1910.1200—with new requirements rolling out now and deadlines approaching in 2026. These aren’t just regulatory details; they’re about safer workplaces, clearer Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and smarter risk management.
At Access GHS, our job is to interpret these regulations and turn them into practical guidance and actionable documents for your team. Let’s break down what’s changing, why it matters, and how you can turn compliance into a real workplace advantage.
Why Did OSHA Update the HazCom Standard in 2024?
The big reason? To make chemical safety information more transparent and usable for everyone. The 2024 revision lines up U.S. rules more closely with international guidelines (thanks to GHS Revision 7), demystifies complicated language, and requires more precise disclosure of long-term health effects—like possible carcinogenicity.
OSHA’s core goals:
- Global Alignment: Keeping U.S. standards consistent with international shipping, labeling, and SDS norms.
- Accessibility: Presenting SDSs and labels in a way that’s easy for all workers to understand—including those for whom English is not a first language.
- Clearer Health Risks: Requiring straightforward communication about both immediate and long-term health hazards.
- Consistency: Making sure every mixture and substance is described thoroughly and unambiguously, reducing confusion.
What’s New in the HazCom 2024–2025 Update?
1. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Get an Upgrade
- Direct, Comprehensive Hazard Info:
SDSs must now spell out ALL known health risks—including specific long-term dangers like cancer. For example, if your binder or composite contains ethylbenzene at any level, the SDS must flag its status as “suspected of causing cancer” right up front. - Plain Language & Better Access:
No more cryptic, technical writing. SDSs need to use clear, common-sense language—with standard GHS pictograms and, as needed, translations or supporting visuals, so every worker “gets it” at a glance. - Enhanced Disposal & Transport Advice:
You’ll see more detailed environmental and safety guidance in new SDSs—from disposal procedures to handling accidental spills, and even the right DOT/IATA/IMDG identifiers for shipment.
When to Update Your SDSs:
- For new substances: Compliant SDSs required immediately.
- For new mixtures: Must comply from the start.
- For existing mixtures: Everything needs to be updated by the 2026 final deadline.
- Routine Review: We recommend (and OSHA urges) a yearly checkup on your safety data sheet labels to catch new hazards or changes.
2. Labels: Sharper, Simpler, Hard to Ignore
- Standardized Format:
All labels must now include the right GHS signal word (“Warning” or “Danger”), hazard pictograms, and detailed precautionary statements. - Ingredient Transparency:
Even trace ingredients, like xylene or ethylbenzene, get called out on both labels and SDSs—no more sweeping things under the rug. Directions for PPE, storage, and first aid are crystal clear. - Comprehensive Mixture Rules:
For composite or multi-chemical products (like many used in manufacturing or construction), updated rules ensure all ingredient risks make it to the label and SDS—not just the primary component.
3. Tighter Hazard Classifications
- GHS Integration:
The 2024 revision sharpens the definition of flammable liquids, aspiration hazards, and more. For mixtures, hazard evaluation considers every individual component’s risks, not just the blend overall. - Accurate Ingredient Ranges:
SDSs must declare actual ingredient concentrations, using prescribed ranges where trade secrets apply. No important hazard info gets left behind. - Solid Documentation Required:
Maintain thorough written justification for every classification—this documentation will matter during inspections or audits.
4. Clear Responsibilities for Manufacturers and Employers
- Manufacturers & Importers: Must classify hazards, author up-to-date SDSs, and provide compliant labels for each shipment.
- Employers: Responsible for ensuring every on-site chemical has an up-to-date SDS and label. They’re also required to retrain employees on new hazards and keep documentation to prove it.
Why This Matters For Your Employees and Your Compliance Scorecard
Avoid Non-Compliance Headaches
HazCom violations are among the most frequent OSHA citations. Most are for outdated SDSs, incomplete labeling, or missing training records—each of which is easily fixed with the right system in place. Fines and lost productivity quickly outweigh any time you save by putting HazCom updates off until the last minute.
Safety and Confidence for Every Employee
When hazard information is clear, accessible, and accurate, workers make smarter decisions and respond more effectively to incidents. Updated communication cuts the risk of exposure, injury, and environmental damage—helping everyone feel safer at work.
More Rigorous Inspections Are Here
OSHA’s new standard goes hand-in-hand with stepped-up inspections. Your SDSs, training logs, and labeling practices are first on the checklist—so it pays to be prepared.
Access GHS Compliance Checklist
Ready to get ahead? Here’s how we help our clients—and what your team should be doing now:
1. Inventory All Hazardous Chemicals
List every chemical and mixture in use or storage. Flag which ones need updated SDSs or label reviews.
2. Update & Review SDSs
Work with SDS providers like Access GHS to ensure all safety data aligns with the new requirements. Pay special attention to products with long-term health hazards or flammable contents.
3. Inspect All Labels
Check every primary and secondary container. Do your labels match OSHA’s format? Are hazard statements, pictograms, and ingredient flags accurate?
4. Retrain Your Team
Deliver up-to-date HazCom training for everyone who might be exposed. Use hands-on demonstrations, visuals, and translated materials as needed.
5. Establish a Maintenance Routine
- Schedule a yearly review of your SDS collection and labels.
- Assign a specific compliance coordinator or team (Access GHS can fulfill this role for clients).
- Keep detailed training and update logs—OSHA wants to see them.
6. Don’t Wait—Stagger Your Upgrades
Start with substances, then move to mixtures—don’t let the work pile up for 2026. Early compliance means less stress and risk down the line.
Why Partner With Access GHS?
At Access GHS, we don’t just write SDSs—we make sense of complex regulations, reduce your exposure to risk, and keep your compliance program running smoothly. Try our SDS consulting to gain more insight.
Our team can:
- Author and review GHS-compliant SDSs tailored to your needs
- Audit your current chemical inventory and safety documentation
- Develop and deliver customized employee training
- Provide ongoing updates as OSHA and industry standards evolve
Key Takeaways: OSHA HazCom 2024–2025
- Start Now: Early inventory audits and SDS/label updates save time and reduce risk.
- Stay Organized: Good records and clear documentation make compliance easy to prove.
- Lean on Experts: SDS authoring is changing fast—let Access GHS translate new rules into real-world solutions for your business.
The Bottom Line: Compliance as a Competitive Edge
Don’t think of these HazCom updates as red tape—see them as a chance to reinforce a culture of safety and trust while protecting your business from costly surprises. The sooner your safety data, labels, and training are updated, the more confident you (and your team) can be.
Ready to get started or want a compliance checkup? Reach out to Access GHS for tailored advice and expert SDS solutions—safety, clarity, and compliance are just a call or click away.
This blog post is for general information only. For specific compliance plans, reach out to our team or consult OSHA directly.