What the regulations require
- Section 6.2 of the Hazardous Products Regulations: the information elements must appear on the safety data sheet and on the label of the hazardous product in both official languages of Canada.
- Your choice of layout: one bilingual SDS or a document in two unilingual parts; one bilingual label or a set of two unilingual parts.
- The SDS has 16 sections, in an order set by the regulations.
- According to the CNESST, the SDS is updated within 90 days of becoming aware of significant new data: the version in the other language must follow.
What we translate
- Complete safety data sheets (16 sections).
- Supplier labels: signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements, supplemental information.
- Revisions of existing SDSs: only the changed sections are retranslated and reviewed.
- Related documents: technical data sheets, use and handling instructions.
How we work
- Regulatory wording: hazard and precautionary statements follow the English and French versions of the Regulations.
- One translation memory per client: a product range keeps the same terminology from one SDS to the next.
- Source format preserved (Word, editable PDF or files from your SDS software) for an identical layout in both languages.
- Review by a second linguist before delivery.
Product classification and data accuracy remain the supplier’s responsibility: we translate the content the supplier has prepared.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need one bilingual SDS or two separate SDSs?
Both are allowed. The Regulations accept a single bilingual sheet or a document in two unilingual parts, one in English and one in French. The same rule applies to the supplier label.
Is a certified translation required for an SDS?
The Hazardous Products Regulations do not mention certified translation: they require the information to appear in both official languages. We deliver a professional translation, reviewed by a second linguist.
What happens when the original SDS is updated?
According to the CNESST, the update is made within 90 days of becoming aware of significant new data. Send us the new version: we retranslate the changed sections using the translation memory of the previous version.
Do you translate SDSs written in other languages?
Yes. We translate foreign SDSs, for example in Chinese, German or Spanish, into English and French: request a quote.
How much does an SDS translation cost, and how long does it take?
Price and turnaround depend on the number of sheets, their length and how much was already translated in earlier versions. Send us a sample for a quote.
- Hazardous Products Regulations (SOR/2015-17), section 6.2
- CNESST: the supplier safety data sheet (in French)
Rules checked on October 17, 2026. Check the requirements that apply to your products.