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WHMIS: Supplier labels

The required parts of a supplier label, the two signal words, hazard and precautionary statements, bilingual rules, small-container exemptions and the 180-day update rule.

  • 17 questions
  • Topic drill
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Supplier labels · Question 1Score 0/0

A WHMIS label in your workplace still has the old hatched (striped) border. What does CCOHS say about this?

Study reference: CCOHS OSH Answers: WHMIS fact sheets (revised 2026-05-28), Ch. 7 WHMIS – Labels — Supplier labels, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements

All 17 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. A WHMIS label in your workplace still has the old hatched (striped) border. What does CCOHS say about this?

    1. The product must be thrown out
    2. It is no longer required but is still allowed
    3. It means the product is a biohazard
    4. The border must be covered with tape before use

  2. A hazardous product comes in a container of 100 mL or less. What may be left off its supplier label?

    1. The product identifier
    2. The pictograms and the supplier identifier
    3. The hazard and precautionary statements
    4. The signal word

  3. A supplier sends a correct WHMIS label with the shipping papers but not on the container. Does this comply?

    1. Only for products in metal drums
    2. No, the label must be on or attached to the container
    3. Yes, as long as the papers arrive before the product does
    4. Yes, if the employer files the papers

  4. A product is always used straight from the container that has the supplier label. Is any other label needed?

    1. No other label is required
    2. Yes, a handwritten label from the worker
    3. Yes, a workplace label must be added
    4. Yes, a placard must be posted nearby

  5. Which of these must appear on a WHMIS supplier label?

    1. The name of the worker who opened it
    2. Signal word, hazard and precautionary statements
    3. The date of the next safety meeting
    4. The purchase price, invoice number and the supplier's sales rep

  6. Which signal word indicates the more severe hazard?

    1. Notice
    2. Caution
    3. Danger
    4. Warning

  7. Which elements must be grouped together on a supplier label?

    1. The pictogram, signal word and hazard statements
    2. The barcode, price and batch number
    3. The first-aid and disposal instructions only
    4. The supplier's logo and slogan

  8. A supplier label for a hazardous product shows a hazard statement but no signal word. Can that be correct?

    1. Yes, some classes and categories have no signal word
    2. No, every hazardous product needs Warning
    3. Only if the container holds 100 mL or less of product
    4. No, every hazardous product needs Danger

  9. "Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated" is an example of what label element?

    1. A product identifier
    2. A precautionary statement
    3. A hazard statement
    4. A signal word

  10. "Keep the container tightly closed" is an example of what label element?

    1. Supplemental hazard data
    2. A hazard statement
    3. A signal word
    4. A precautionary statement

  11. In what language(s) must a WHMIS supplier label be provided?

    1. The language of the province only
    2. English only
    3. Any language the supplier chooses
    4. Both English and French

  12. A product is packed in an inner bottle inside an outer box. When can the outer box skip the WHMIS label?

    1. Whenever the box is made of cardboard
    2. When the inner label can be read through the outer box
    3. When the bottle holds under 5 litres
    4. When the box is stored in a locked room away from workers

  13. A supplier label must identify the initial supplier. What information does this include?

    1. Canadian maker or importer's name, address, phone
    2. The name of the delivery driver
    3. Only the website of the foreign factory
    4. The employer's health and safety officer

  14. Which two signal words are used on WHMIS labels?

    1. Danger and Warning
    2. Stop and Alert
    3. Hazard and Risk
    4. Caution and Notice

  15. Must a WHMIS supplier label list the product's hazardous ingredients?

    1. No; ingredients are disclosed on the SDS instead
    2. No; ingredients are never disclosed anywhere
    3. Yes, every ingredient with its percentage
    4. Yes, but only for products over 1 litre

  16. After learning of significant new hazard data, how long does a supplier have to update its labels?

    1. 180 days
    2. One year
    3. 30 days
    4. 90 days

  17. Precautionary statements come in five types. Which list is correct?

    1. Danger, warning, caution, notice, info
    2. Physical, health, environmental, biological, other
    3. Supplier, employer, worker, inspector, committee
    4. General, prevention, response, storage, disposal

Supplier labels: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Purpose and responsibility

  • Labels are the first alert to the user about major hazards and basic precautions.
  • Suppliers label the hazardous products they provide; labels must be affixed to, printed on or attached to the product/container and stay legible. A label sent only with shipping papers does not comply.
  • Employers make sure incoming hazardous products are labelled.
  • If a product is always used from the container with the supplier label, no other label is needed.

Required supplier label elements

  • Product identifier (brand, chemical, common, generic or trade name).
  • Initial supplier identifier: name, address and phone of the Canadian manufacturer or Canadian importer (exceptions: distributor may substitute its own details; employer importing for own use may keep foreign supplier details).
  • Pictogram(s); signal word; hazard statement(s); precautionary statement(s); supplemental label information (e.g., % of ingredients with unknown toxicity when ≥ 1%).
  • Must be in English and French: one bilingual label or two labels. English-only or French-only does not comply.
  • No set format, but pictogram, signal word and hazard statements must be grouped together; clearly and prominently displayed; easy to read without aids except corrective glasses; contrast with other information.
  • Hatched border from WHMIS 1988 no longer required (allowed). Hazardous ingredients no longer required on the label (they are on the SDS).

Signal words

  • Only two: "Danger" (high-risk / more severe) and "Warning" (less severe). Some classes/categories have no signal word.

Hazard statements

  • Standardized phrases describing the nature/degree of the hazard (e.g., "Extremely flammable gas", "Fatal if inhaled", "May cause cancer").

Precautionary statements

  • Standardized advice to minimize or prevent harm; five types: general, prevention, response (incl. first aid), storage, disposal.
  • Slash (/) in GHS guidance means the supplier picks the right items (e.g., "Wear protective gloves/eye protection"); dots (...) mean add other relevant conditions.

Updating supplier labels

  • Update within 180 days of becoming aware of "significant new data" (data that changes classification/category, adds a class, or changes how to protect against the hazard). If sold during that period, supplier provides written changes and date.
  • Employers who receive significant new data from a supplier must update the relevant supplier labels.

Small containers and multiple containers

  • 100 mL or less: exempt only from precautionary and hazard statements.
  • 3 mL or less: if the label interferes with normal use, label must be durable for transport/storage but may be removable during use.
  • Bulk shipments: labelling exemption for products sold without packaging.
  • Fold-out/accordion labels allowed if space is short.
  • Multiple containers: each container fully labelled, unless inner label visible through outer, or outer container has TDG label (not if outer is the only container).

Worker steps

  • Check for a label before use; read and follow label and SDS; ask for a new label if unreadable; do not use unlabelled products.

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