How many products have been recalled for CCCR violations in 2009?

There have been 11 sets of products recalled for CCCR violations in 2009. This does not include all the products that were simply removed from store shelves until the labels are made compliant; Health Canada does not release statistics on removals.

The products that received a full public recall in 2009 (as of July 2009) are as follows:

Jul. 2009: toilet bowl cleaner (lacking child-resistant container)
May 2009: fire fuel (lacking child-resistant container)
May 2009: jewelry cleaner (lacking child-resistant container, flammability and corrosive warnings)
May 2009: spray deodorant (lacking flammability and explosive warnings)
May 2009: chafing fuel (flammability)
May 2009: 14 cleaning chemicals (lacking child-resistant container)
May 2009: 13 pool chemicals (lacking child-resistant container)
Apr. 2009: 3 hair care products (lacking flammability and explosive warnings)
Feb. 2009: shaving cream (lacking flammability and explosive warnings)
Feb. 2009: jewelry cleaner (lacking child-resistant container, flammability and corrosive warnings)
Jan. 2009: 3 brake cleaners (flame projection too long)
We expect this list to increase in 2009, to match the approximately two dozen recalls in 2008.

What products are subject to WHMIS supplier MSDS requirements?

A manufacturer/supplier who plans to sell a product to be used in a workplace environment in Canada is required to classify the chemical merchandise. The chemical product must under go a comparison of physical, chemical and toxic properties with a detailed list of WHMIS criteria. The list can be found in Part IV of the Controlled Products Regulations CPR act. In case the product is determined to meet at least one of the following WHMIS criteria:

1. Compressed Gas
2. Flammable Gases/Liquids/Solids & Aerosol
3. Combustible Liquids
4. Reactive Flammable Materials
5. Oxidizing material
6. Poisonous and Infectious Material
7. Biohazardous Infectious Material
8. Corrosive Material
9. Dangerously Reactive Material

The product becomes automatically a WHMIS controlled product and therefore subject to the WHMIS requirements.

Before the chemical product under goes the comparison of physical, chemical and toxic properties, manufacturer/supplier wants to make sure that the chemical product is excluded under Section 12 of the Hazardous Products Act HPA. Products that are excluded are exempted from both federal and provincial WHMIS requirements, which are:

1. Consumer Products
2. Cosmetics
3. Dangerous Goods in Shipment
4. Explosives
5. Food and Drugs
6. Hazardous Waste
7. Manufactured Articles
8. Pesticides
9. Radioactive Materials
10. Tobacco and Tobacco Products
11. Wood and Wood Products

In this case manufacturer/supplier has classified the chemical product to be WHMIS controlled product, his duty is to properly label the product with a WHMIS label, prepare and provide the customer with an MSDS. An MSDS must be reviewed to ensure that it is still compliant. Further, under WHMIS regulations the MSDS must be reviewed every three years.