Now, more than ever, we’re getting asked “Is WHMIS 2015 Still Valid”?

It’s not surprising. If you do a search for WHMIS training, you’ll still see the term “WHMIS 2015”  on websites, in AI-generated answers, and even in course descriptions.

WHMIS 2015, which took place in, you guessed it, 2015, was the major update that aligned Canada with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).

But that was nearly a decade ago. And since then, you’ve maybe seen WHMIS followed by different years. WHMIS 2022? WHMIS 2023?

So what exactly does this mean and is WHMIS 2015 still the current standard? And if not, why is everyone, including AI, still saying it is?

In this article, we’re going to clear this up once and for all.

WHMIS 2015 Validity: The Short Answer

So is WHMIS 2015 still valid? No, WHMIS 2015 is no longer the current version of WHMIS.

The Hazardous Products Regulations were amended in December 2022 to align with more recent revisions of the GHS, and as of December 14, 2025, the transition period has ended. 

All Canadian workplaces should now be fully transitioned to the updated WHMIS.

If WHMIS 2015 is no longer valid, what is WHMIS now called?

We’ll get to that in a second, but first, we need to address the mistakes that AI assistants can make.

Why Does AI Say WHMIS 2015 is Valid?

If you asked an AI assistant, like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini, whether WHMIS 2015 is still current, you may have been told yes.

You may have even seen an AI snippet in Google or another search engine confidently explaining that WHMIS 2015 is current, and even providing citations to back up its claim.

That answer is incorrect.

AI models are trained on large volumes of data, much of which still references WHMIS 2015 as the current standard. They also access websites to gather information, and many, if not most, online content is outdated and still references WHMIS 2015 as current.

Until enough authoritative sources publish updated information, AI will continue to repeat outdated answers.

So if WHMIS 2015 is no longer valid, what is the current version?

We’ll cover that next.

What is the Current Version of WHMIS?

The most recent update to WHMIS happened in December 2022 when Health Canada amended the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR), and a three-year transition period followed, ending on December 14, 2025.

Based on this, you might ask: “Is it called WHMIS 2022 or WHMIS 2025?”

Neither.

Since the most recent update, WHMIS no longer uses version years and is simply referred to as: WHMIS

The only time version years were introduced and used was in 2015 after WHMIS was updated to align with the GHS.

The reason for that was because it was a major update and there was a need to distinguish between the “new” WHMIS 2015 and the “old” WHMIS (1988). This is why it was called “WHMIS 2015”, and the original version “WHMIS 1988”.

You can learn more about the most recent update and the 2025 WHMIS deadline in this article.

Are WHMIS 2015 Certificates Still Valid?

This is one of the most common follow-up questions employers and workers ask.

A WHMIS certificate is not a lifetime credential that lasts indefinitely. It simply shows that training was completed on a specific date, based on the requirements that applied at the time.

If a certificate specifically references WHMIS 2015, it likely means the training was taken prior to the updates, and especially before the conclusion of the WHMIS transition period. Since the Hazardous Products Regulations have been updated and the transition period has ended, employers are expected to ensure workers are trained on the current WHMIS requirements.

There may be situations where an employer included the term on their certificates or included WHMIS 2015 elements in their updated training, for example during the transition period.

If you’re uncertain of whether your certificate meets the current requirements, it’s best to confirm with your employer or the training provider who issued the certificate.

Do I need to Retrain My Workers?

In most cases, yes.

If your workers were trained under WHMIS 2015 and have not received updated WHMIS training since the Hazardous Products Regulations were amended, retraining is required to ensure they understand the current system.

When retraining your workers, it’s important to understand that in addition to the general, which can be completed via online WHMIS training, you must also provide workplace-specific training. You can learn more about how to provide workplace-specific training here.

How to Get Current WHMIS Training

Getting updated WHMIS training in 2026 and beyond is easier than ever, thanks to technology and available tools and resources. If you’re a jobseeker looking to get an updated certificate or an employer who needs to train your entire staff, there are several options to fit your needs.

For Workers

If you need an updated WHMIS certificate, online training is a convenient and highly recognized option.

With online WHMIS certification, you can:

• Complete the training on your own from your mobile device.
• Finish the course in about an hour.
• Get your certification instantly after passing.

Online WHMIS training is accepted by employers nationwide in all provinces.

For Employers

If you need to update your workers’ WHMIS training, you have several options depending on your team size, industry, and internal resources:

• Online Training Programs: Scalable solutions that let you enroll workers individually or in bulk, track completion, and maintain training records automatically. View Online Training
• SCORM WHMIS Training: The benefits of online training, but through your internal LMS for a seamless training experience. View WHMIS SCORM Package Options
• Instructor-led Training (Train-the-Trainer): Traditional, instructor-led classroom training sessions. View Train-the-Trainer and Instructor Packages
• Training Videos: Streaming and downloadable videos that can be presented to a group of workers similar to classroom training, but with easier facilitation. View WHMIS Video Options

Once your workers have completed their general training, you can provide them with workplace-specific training using the tools and strategies that we outline in this blog post.

Key Takeaways

WHMIS 2015 is no longer the current version of WHMIS, and is not valid. 

Although the term still appears in search results, AI-generated answers, and outdated course descriptions, Canadian workplaces are now expected to follow current WHMIS requirements.

Version years are also no longer used, and WHMIS is referred to as just “WHMIS”.

If your training materials, certificates, or course descriptions still reference WHMIS 2015, it’s a strong signal that your training may be outdated.

Ensuring your workers are trained under the current WHMIS framework protects your employees, strengthens compliance, and avoids confusion caused by outdated terminology, especially in an environment where AI and online content often repeat incorrect information.

Is WHMIS 2015 Still Valid in Canada?

No. WHMIS 2015 is no longer the current version of WHMIS.

The Hazardous Products Regulations were updated in December 2022, and the transition period ended on December 14, 2025. Canadian workplaces are now expected to follow current WHMIS requirements, not WHMIS 2015.

Does My WHMIS Certificate Need to Display a Year?

No. WHMIS certificates do not need to display a version year.

WHMIS no longer uses version years, and there is no requirement for certificates to reference a specific year such as “WHMIS 2015.”

What matters is that the training itself reflects current WHMIS requirements, not whether a year appears on the certificate.

Are WHMIS 2015 Certificates Still Accepted by Employers?

Some employers may still accept WHMIS 2015 certificates because they are not aware of the most recent updates and have not yet updated their programs. Since the transition period has ended in December 2025, it’s less likely WHMIS 2015 certificates will be accepted as more employers update their programs and requirements.

Why Do Some Employers Still Ask for WHMIS 2015?

Most of the time, employers still ask for “WHMIS 2015” certificates due to outdated information.

Some employers are using old job postings, internal policies, or templates that haven’t been updated. In other cases, misinformation from online sources or AI-generated answers continues to repeat “WHMIS 2015” as if it were still current.

This does not mean WHMIS 2015 is required or up to date.

Is WHMIS 2022 or WHMIS 2025 a Real Version?

No. There is no official version called “WHMIS 2022” or “WHMIS 2025.”

Those years refer to regulatory updates and transition deadlines, not version names. WHMIS no longer uses version years and is simply referred to as WHMIS.

How Often Does WHMIS Training Need to Be Updated?

WHMIS legislation does not set a fixed retraining interval, however, that does not mean it doesn’t need to be updated. Most employers  require workers to be retrained every one to three years, as this is an industry best practice. You can learn more about WHMIS expiration in this blog post.

Does Online WHMIS Training Meet Current Requirements?

Yes. Online WHMIS training through OnlineWHMIS.ca is widely accepted for completing updated WHMIS training aligned with current requirements.

Other online training programs may still reference WHMIS 2015 or outdated content, which is why employers should always confirm that training reflects the current WHMIS framework.

Employers must still follow up with workplace-specific WHMIS training. OnlineWHMIS.ca offers tools and resources to help employers complete this portion of the training efficiently. Learn more here.