Overview: OSHA HazCom Update 2025–2026—What Cannabis Operators Need to Know
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finalized major updates to its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Revision 7, effective July 19, 2024. The new rule sets challenging—but manageable—deadlines through 2025 and 2026 for cannabis and hemp manufacturing facilities. Operators handling terpene blends, extraction solvents, flavorants, gases, and device batteries must take immediate action to ensure compliance with stricter hazard classification, labeling, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and employee training standards.
These requirements are not optional—and noncompliance carries substantial OSHA penalties and operational risks. Here’s how cannabis manufacturers can stay ahead.
Who Is Impacted in the Cannabis Sector?
Cultivators, extraction labs, infused product manufacturers, vape hardware assemblers, and even dispensary packaging areas have significant exposure under the new HazCom framework. Commonly impacted chemicals and products include:
- Concentrated and blended terpenes (flammable, irritant risks)
- Denatured ethanol and other extraction solvents (flammable, health risk)
- Flavorants and botanicals
- Compressed gases such as CO₂, butane, propane
- Common cleaning chemicals (e.g., isopropanol, quaternary ammonium compounds)
- Lithium-ion batteries (for vape devices/apparatus)
- Acids, caustics, and other process-specific materials
Any operation storing, mixing, or repackaging these must update their hazard communications and be ready for enforcement actions beginning as soon as late 2025.
Key Compliance Deadlines for 2025–2026
OSHA is rolling out compliance dates in phases:
- July 19, 2024: Effective date of final HazCom rule; new and revised requirements in force.
- January 19, 2026: Deadline for compliance for chemical substances (including single-terpene isolates, solvents). All hazard classifications, labels, and SDS documents must be updated for substances.
- July 20, 2026: Compliance deadline for mixtures (most cannabis blends, formulations, and multi-ingredient products) and for downstream users to complete program changes and employee retraining.
For reference, see official OSHA HazCom rulemaking updates.
What’s New Under GHS Rev. 7 and OSHA 2024?
Several pivotal changes are now in effect and must be reflected in all cannabis facility programs:
- Updated health and physical hazard classifications: New criteria for flammable dust, chemicals under pressure, and desensitized explosives—directly relevant to cannabis dust, blends, and some extraction processes.
- Label format and content: New requirements for precautionary and hazard statements, expanded pictogram use, and a standardized approach to small containers (including secondary workplace labeling for small ounce vials and sample jars)—critical for terpene/flavorant storage.
- SDS (Safety Data Sheet) updates: Revised 16-section format with new detail requirements, including for chemical compositions and hazards unique to blends or process chemicals.
- More frequent and thorough employee training: Training must be renewed and documented whenever a new hazard is introduced, the written HazCom plan changes, or new label/SDS formats are adopted.
- Written HazCom program expansion: Programs must detail how your business reevaluates hazards, reconciles vendor-supplied SDS, applies updated labels, and trains staff.
These updated standards affect all links in the cannabis supply chain, from extraction lab to packaging to device assembly.
Practical Steps: Building a 2025–2026 Cannabis HazCom Compliance Plan
1. Chemical Inventory and Hazard Review
- Inventory all hazardous materials—focus on terpene blends, solvents, lithium-ion batteries, compressed gases.
- Get updated SDSs from all chemical vendors by Q1 2025; flag outdated or missing documents for immediate replacement.
- Reassess hazard class for custom blends and in-house mixtures—higher scrutiny on new or reformulated products.
2. Labeling Overhaul—Primary and Secondary Containers
- Audit labels on all incoming chemicals and production area secondary containers.
- Adopt GHS Rev. 7 pictograms and updated hazard/precautionary language on both bulk and small-format (vials, jars) packaging.
- For transferred/decanted chemicals (e.g., ethanol in squirt bottles): apply compliant secondary container labels visible to all staff.
3. Update Your Written HazCom Program
- Incorporate new classification, labeling, and SDS review procedures.
- Outline steps for vendor reconciliation, ongoing chemical/mixture review, and documentation.
- Include incident response procedures—especially for flammable liquids/gases and battery fire hazards.
4. Employee Training Cadence
- Provide initial retraining by Q1–Q2 2026 (substances) and by mid-2026 (mixtures).
- Document that all affected employees, from extraction to packaging lines, are trained on:
- Updated hazards (e.g., flammable terpene vapor, corrosive cleaning chemicals)
- New symbols/pictograms
- Revised SDS and container labels
- Site-specific emergency response
- Retrain promptly when new products/hazards are introduced or if regulatory changes occur.
5. Ongoing Recordkeeping and Program Maintenance
- Keep up-to-date records of all HazCom program changes, training logs, and SDS access.
- Periodically audit for expired or missing SDS, containers without GHS labels, and gaps in employee knowledge.
- Schedule annual program reviews.
Enforcement and Penalties—What’s at Stake?
OSHA enforcement for hazard communication failures routinely results in significant fines, operational shutdowns, and repeat inspection cycles. Maximum penalties may change (adjusted annually), but citations for HazCom violations are among the most frequent in manufacturing, including cannabis facilities. Noncompliance can also lead to regulatory complications at the state level, jeopardizing business licenses.
For updated penalty amounts and enforcement trends, see OSHA Penalties.
Cannabis-Specific Hazards: FAQs for 2025
Should every aroma or terpene blend get a new hazard review?Yes. Each distinct mixture—especially when components are reformulated—must be evaluated and classified under the new criteria. This includes flavorant/terpene recipes, as their vapors may be newly classified as flammable or as respiratory irritants.
What about lithium-ion batteries?If assembling or storing vape hardware, written HazCom programs must formally address battery hazards (fire, release, chemical burns), provide updated SDS, and offer staff training on proper handling and spill/fire response.
Are small containers and sample vials affected?Yes. Even ounce or milliliter containers require GHS-compliant secondary labeling and SDS access, unless exempted under the new small container rules.
Takeaways for Cannabis Operators—2025 and Beyond
- Be proactive: Begin gap analysis and SDS reconciliation now—do not wait for 2026.
- Engage your chemical suppliers: Demand GHS Rev. 7-compliant SDS and labels on shipments.
- Formalize your HazCom program: Update documentation, train staff promptly, and keep records audit-ready.
- Monitor OSHA/federal and state cannabis regulations for further updates into 2025–2026.
Noncompliance is not only a legal risk but can directly impact workforce safety and business continuity.
For regulatory updates, compliance checklists, and AI-powered documentation management, visit CannabisRegulations.ai—your partner for seamless cannabis regulatory compliance in a fast-changing landscape.
