Hypochlorite Products Label Warnings Updated

Summary#

This final regulation, Regulations Amending the Pest Control Products Regulations (Sodium Hypochlorite and Calcium Hypochlorite) (SOR/2024-259), updates the required warning words and hazard symbols on labels for products that contain sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite. It takes effect on the day it was registered (December 9, 2024) and was published in the Canada Gazette on December 18, 2024.

What it does#

• Changes the label signal word for sodium hypochlorite from “Warning – Corrosive” to “Danger – Corrosive to Eyes and Skin.”
• Changes the label signal word for calcium hypochlorite from “Caution – Corrosive” to “Danger – Corrosive to Eyes and Skin.”
• Changes the shape around the precautionary symbol for both products to an octagon (replacing a diamond for sodium hypochlorite and a triangle for calcium hypochlorite).
• Updates the Table to section 7 in the Pest Control Products Regulations so the Regulations match the label requirements set out in Health Canada’s earlier re-evaluation decision (RVD2023-14).

Note: label changes were already required by the re-evaluation decision, so this regulatory change aligns the written rules with those existing label requirements rather than creating new ones.

Who's affected#

• Companies that register, make, import, package or label products containing sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite.
• Retailers and distributors who sell those products.
• People who use these products at home or at work (for example, pool owners/operators, cleaners, and janitorial services).
• The general public who may come into contact with these products.

The government says there should be no added cost to businesses because the label changes were already required under the re-evaluation.

Why it matters#

• The new wording and symbol show a higher assessed risk and tell users more clearly which parts of the body (eyes and skin) are at risk.
• The change responds to safety concerns noted during review, including 62 incident reports (57 humans and 5 domestic animals) that were considered in the re-evaluation.
• Putting the same label rules in both the re-evaluation decision and the Regulations reduces confusion for product makers and users.
• There is no expected extra regulatory cost; the update mainly improves clarity and consistency to help protect health and safety.