OSHA Extends HCS 2024 Deadline
HCS 2024 Deadline extension
The new OSHA HCS 2024 compliance deadline for substances has been officially extended to May 19, 2026, as per the January 15 Federal Register notice.
Just four days before the January 19, 2026 enforcement deadline for Substance compliance, OSHA has issued a critical update in the Federal Register (2026-00653 (91 FR 1695)) granting a formal extension for compliance with the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) 2024 Final Rule.
For many manufacturers and distributors who were scrambling to meet next week's deadline, this is a massive relief. But be warned: This is an extension, not an exemption.
What Changed? According to the announcement released today, OSHA has recognized the significant supply chain bottlenecks preventing many manufacturers from obtaining updated data from their upstream suppliers.
Old Deadline (Substances): January 19, 2026
Status: EXTENDED
Impact: This grants additional time for manufacturers of raw substances (and the downstream formulators relying on them) to update their Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and labels to the new GHS Revision 7 standards without facing immediate enforcement action.
Why This Matters: The primary reason for this delay is the information gap. You cannot update your Mixture SDS (the final cream or cleaner) until your supplier updates their Ingredient SDS. By pushing back the substance deadline, OSHA is acknowledging that the data simply wasn't flowing fast enough.
Why You Should Audit Now: While you may have more time, the regulatory clock is still ticking. The worst thing you can do is pause your compliance project.
Retailers don't care: Retailer’s automated bots may not update their blocking algorithms immediately. They will still flag SDSs that look "old" or non-compliant.
The workload is the same: You still need to re-classify every product, calculate new Trade Secret ranges, and update your Transport logic.
The bottleneck will return: If you wait until the new deadline, you will be stuck in the same rush, paying "Rush Fees" to consultants who are booked solid.
How Valence can help: Use this extra time to get it right, not just to get it done. At Valence Regulatory, we are continuing our Compliance Audits ($150) to help you identify which of your products are "Safe" and which ones need a full overhaul before the new cutoff.
[Link: Read the Full Federal Register Notice Here]
Need to know if your library is ready? Contact us today to schedule a quick compliance review. Don't waste this second chance.