Hazard Communication in Washington: DOSH and the 2024 HazCom Update

Short answer: Adopted, effective February 1, 2026 (own dates: employers July 20, 2026). Hazard communication in Washington is enforced by DOSH under Washington’s State Plan, and State Plans adopt federal OSHA’s 2024 update on their own timelines. Status, rule citation and dates checked October 10, 2026 against official sources linked below; not legal advice.

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Who enforces HazCom in Washington

Washington runs its own OSHA-approved State Plan. Workplace hazard communication is enforced by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

“The Washington State Plan applies to private sector workplaces”, except areas federal OSHA keeps, including offshore maritime employment (shipyards, longshoring, dry docks, marine railways and similar), U.S. Postal Service contractors and aircraft cabin crew on aircraft in operation. DOSH “covers state and local government workers but does not cover federal government workers, including USPS” (osha.gov/stateplans/wa).

The Washington HazCom rule

Chapter 296-901 WAC, “Globally harmonized system for hazard communication” (Washington’s own chapter, not an adoption by reference).

Is the 2024 HazCom update in effect in Washington?

“Employers, chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors evaluating substances must be in compliance with all provisions of this section no later than July 20, 2026.” — WAC 296-901-14020(3)

“WSR 26-02-011, § 296-901-14020, filed 12/30/25, effective 2/1/26” — WAC 296-901-14020 history

Washington-specific differences

Washington writes its HazCom rule as its own chapter, WAC 296-901, “intended to be consistent with the provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System … primarily Revision 7” (WAC 296-901-14002). During the transition, employers could comply with the earlier rules (WAC 296-800-170 and chapter 296-307 WAC, Part Y-1) or the new section, or both (WAC 296-901-14020) (chapter 296-901 WAC). Because Washington’s employer date for substances (July 20, 2026) is earlier than the federal date, Washington employers should already have updated labels, the written program and training for any newly identified hazards.

The federal dates, for context

Federal OSHA’s updated standard was published May 20, 2024 (89 FR 44144) and took effect July 19, 2024. The compliance dates in 29 CFR 1910.1200(j) (eCFR, checked October 10, 2026) are:

Between May 20, 2024 and those dates, anyone covered may comply with the revised standard, the version in effect as of July 1, 2023, or both ((j)(4)). These dates already include the four-month extension OSHA published on January 15, 2026 (91 FR 1695); the 2024 rule as first published said January 19, 2026, July 20, 2026, July 19, 2027 and January 19, 2028. A State Plan that adopted the 2024 rule but not the extension, or that set its own dates, can have different deadlines, which is why the state section above matters.

What to do now (true in every state)

Every State Plan’s HazCom rule must be at least as effective as the federal one, so these basics apply whichever version your state enforces today:

• A written hazard communication program with a list of the hazardous chemicals on site, using the product identifier on each SDS. See what the written program must contain.
• A current SDS for every hazardous chemical, readily accessible to employees on every shift in their work areas. Your supplier writes the SDS and must send it with the first shipment; your job is to obtain, keep and give access to it. See SDS requirements for employers.
• Labels on shipped containers left intact, and workplace labels on containers you fill yourself. See secondary container labels.
• Training at initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced. See HazCom training requirements.
• The 2024 update: as revised SDSs arrive from suppliers, swap them in, and update workplace labels, the written program and training by the date that applies in your state (see above). If your state’s date is unclear, ask the agency and plan for the earliest possible date.

SDSentry keeps your library of supplier SDSs current and reachable from any phone, so swapping in revised sheets during the 2024 update is quick. SDSentry manages the SDSs your suppliers publish; it does not write them.

Tier II is a different law

EPCRA Tier II chemical inventory reporting comes from a separate federal law (the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, an EPA program) and is filed with state and local agencies, not with DOSH. See Tier II reporting in Washington.

Other State Plan states

See the 2024 HazCom update status in all State Plan states we cover.

Sources (checked October 10, 2026)

• WAC 296-901-14020
• WSR 26-02-011
• Chapter 296-901 WAC
• osha.gov: Washington State Plan
• eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.1200(j)
• Federal Register 91 FR 1695 (January 15, 2026)

Questions about how DOSH applies a rule to your workplace: contact DOSH.

Educational information only, not legal or compliance advice. Requirements can vary by product, use and jurisdiction — verify at osha.gov/hazcom and 29 CFR 1910.1200, or consult a qualified professional.