What Kind of Information is Required on a Supplier Label?

Supplier labels are the front line of protection when handling hazardous products. If the information isn’t clear, complete, and durable, workers can misjudge risks, and companies can find themselves out of compliance with Canadian regulations. 

Under WHMIS and the Hazardous Products Regulations, supplier labels have very specific requirements. Let’s break them down.

Every container of a hazardous product needs a supplier label before it reaches a Canadian workplace. These labels tell workers what the substance is, how dangerous it can be, and how to handle it safely. Supplier labels aren’t optional; they’re required by law for any hazardous product imported or sold in Canada for workplace use. And they must be applied by the supplier before shipping.

A missing or incomplete supplier label is more than a compliance issue; it means the people using the product may not know how to protect themselves.

Labels must be clearly visible, securely affixed, and legible throughout the product’s lifecycle even in tough environments. Placement and durability matter just as much as content.

To meet Canadian standards, supplier labels must contain seven key pieces of information, all of which are standardized under WHMIS 2015 and must not be reworded or improvised. The language, structure, and even the order of items are consistent across all industries..

1. Product Identifier

This is the name of the product, whether it’s the brand, trade, chemical, generic, or common name. The goal is simple: workers should be able to match the label with the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) without confusion.

2. Initial Supplier Identifier

This is the name, address, and phone number of the Canadian manufacturer or importer. There are two exceptions:

• If a distributor sells the product, they may substitute their own contact information in place of the original supplier’s.
• If a product is imported solely for internal workplace use and not for sale, the label may show the foreign supplier’s contact details.

3. Pictogram(s)

Pictograms are the red diamond symbols that visually communicate the type of hazard, from flammable, corrosive, to toxic, and more. Their job is to warn at a glance, even before the text is read.

The number and type of pictograms required depend on the product’s hazard classification. Only those assigned to the product should appear; adding extra symbols “just in case” is not permitted under WHMIS.

4. Signal Word

Either “Danger” (for severe hazards) or “Warning” (for less severe hazards). This helps workers instantly understand the seriousness of the risk.

Some classifications may not require a signal word at all. If none has been assigned for that hazard class, the label should omit this element entirely, and that’s still compliant.

5. Hazard Statement(s)

Short, standardized sentences that describe the specific hazard. Examples include:

• Extremely flammable gas
• Fatal if inhaled
• Causes eye irritation

The wording is assigned by WHMIS/GHS and cannot be paraphrased. For example, “May cause cancer” reflects a higher degree of evidence than “Suspected of causing cancer.” Consistent phrasing across all workplaces eliminates confusion.

6. Precautionary Statement(s)

These phrases explain how to reduce or prevent harm through proper handling, storage, or emergency measures. Examples include:

• Wear protective gloves/eye protection
• Keep container tightly closed
• Protect from sunlight
• If exposed: Get medical advice/attention

Like hazard statements, these are pre-assigned under WHMIS based on the classification. Suppliers cannot add or delete statements at will and cannot modify their wording.

7. Supplemental Label Information

Some products require extra details. For example, if a mixture contains ingredients of unknown toxicity above 1%, the label must state the percentage. 

Supplemental details may also include routes of exposure, physical state, or other information but they must never contradict or obscure the six required elements above.

In Canada, all supplier labels must be bilingual — provided in both English and French. This can be achieved through:

• A single bilingual label
• Two separate, side-by-side labels on the same container

A single-language label does not meet WHMIS requirements. Bilingual content makes sure that the information is accessible across all regions and workplaces.

Here’s a simplified example showing how all the required elements appear together:

Product: Industrial Degreaser
Hazard Class: Flammable liquid, skin irritant

• Product Identifier: GreaseOff 5000
• Supplier: ABC Chemicals Inc., 1234 Industry Rd., Toronto, ON | 1-800-123-4567
• Pictograms: [Flame] 
• Signal Word: Danger
• Hazard Statement: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Causes skin irritation.
• Precautionary Statements:
  • Keep away from heat/sparks/open flame
  • Wear protective gloves
  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling
  • If on skin: rinse with plenty of water
• Supplemental Info: Contains 2% proprietary additive. Avoid contact with eyes.
• Languages: English and French on a single bilingual label

This gives you a sense of how the information is grouped and worded with zero improvisation or “close enough” summaries.

If hazardous products are packaged in kits or bulk shipments, each container must have its own supplier label. Labelling only the outer box or bulk packaging is not compliant, even if the container isn’t meant for individual resale.

WHMIS does not prescribe a specific layout or template for supplier labels. However, all required elements should be:

• Grouped together
• Easy to locate
• Clearly legible under normal conditions
• Not contradicted by any other content or graphics on the label

It’s not enough to include all the right words and symbols; a supplier label also has to survive in real conditions.

“The challenge with WHMIS supplier labels isn’t printing them; it’s keeping them legible after months in a toolbox, years on a drum, or in a harsh plant environment. That’s why we manufacture every label with the field in mind.”

President, Industrial Nameplates

We manufacture WHMIS-compliant labels that are engineered to remain legible in the environments where they’re needed most. Contact us today at 403-930-5543 or sales@industrialnameplates.ca for solutions that keep your workplace safe and compliant.