What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS), formerly known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is a standardised document providing essential health, safety, environmental and regulatory information about a chemical substance or mixture. SDS are mandatory for all hazardous chemicals placed on the market and must be supplied to downstream users like distributors, industrial customers, and professional users in the supply chain.
SDS are required under the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), implemented in the EU through the CLP Regulation (EC 1272/2008) and in the US through OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom 2012). Getting SDS right is critical. Errors can cause supply chain disruptions, regulatory penalties, and serious safety incidents.
The 16 Required SDS Sections (GHS Format)
Identification
Product identifier, supplier, recommended use
Hazard Identification
Classification, signal words, hazard statements, pictograms
Composition
Substances, mixtures, impurities, stabilisers
First Aid
Routes of exposure, symptoms, immediate care
Fire Fighting
Extinguishing media, special hazards, protective equipment
Accidental Release
Spill containment, cleanup procedures
Handling & Storage
Safe handling, storage conditions, incompatibilities
Exposure Controls/PPE
OELs, engineering controls, PPE requirements
Physical Properties
Appearance, pH, flash point, boiling point, etc.
Stability & Reactivity
Stability, conditions to avoid, hazardous reactions
Toxicological Info
Routes of exposure, LD50, toxicity classification
Ecological Info
Ecotoxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation
Disposal
Waste treatment methods, regulatory requirements
Transport
UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group
Regulatory Info
Specific regulations, safety/health/
environmental info
Other Info
Revision date, changes, abbreviations, references
Our Chemical Safety Services
SDS Authoring
Professional preparation of compliant SDS for new products, existing products needing update, or market expansion into new territories.
- GHS classification and hazard determination
- All 16 sections completed accurately
- Multi-market / multi-language versions
- REACH compliance integration
SDS Review & Update
Review and update existing SDS for accuracy, compliance, and regulatory changes. Essential every 3 years or when formulation changes.
- Gap analysis against current regulations
- Classification review and correction
- New regulatory requirements incorporation
- Supplier SDS review for accuracy
Industries that need SDS
When must SDS be updated?
SDS must be reviewed and updated when new information on hazards or protection measures becomes available, when authorisation is granted or refused, when a restriction is imposed, and at least every 3 years as best practice. Updated SDS must be provided free of charge to recipients who have received the substance/mixture within the previous 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and who needs one?
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a standardised document covering the health, safety, environmental and regulatory information of a chemical substance or mixture. SDS are mandatory for any hazardous chemical supplied to downstream users — including distributors, industrial customers and professional users such as paint, cosmetics, laboratory, agricultural company, food processing companies. They are required under GHS frameworks such as the EU CLP Regulation and OSHA’s HazCom 2012 standard.
Q2: What are the 16 sections of a GHS-compliant SDS?
A GHS-compliant SDS must include 16 standardised sections: Identification, Hazard Identification, Composition, First Aid, Fire Fighting, Accidental Release, Handling & Storage, Exposure Controls/PPE, Physical Properties, Stability & Reactivity, Toxicological Info, Ecological Info, Disposal, Transport, Regulatory Info, and Other Information. Every section must be accurately completed for the SDS to be considered compliant.
Q3: How often must an SDS be reviewed and updated?
An SDS must be updated whenever new hazard or safety information becomes available, when a product’s formulation changes, when a regulatory restriction or authorisation is granted or refused, and at minimum every 3 years as best practice. Updated SDS must be provided free of charge to anyone who received the substance or mixture within the previous 12 months.
Q4: Do consumer products require a Safety Data Sheet?
SDS are generally not required for products sold directly to the general public at retail. However, SDS are mandatory for any professional, industrial, or B2B supply of hazardous substances. If a hazardous product is sold to a retailer, an SDS must be supplied to that retailer as a professional user — though not directly to consumers. Some markets also require extended SDS (eSDS) even for consumer-facing products.
Q5: What is the difference between EU CLP and GHS?
GHS (Globally Harmonised System) is an international UN framework for classifying and labelling chemicals. Individual countries implement GHS through their own legislation — with variations. The EU CLP Regulation (EC 1272/2008) is the EU’s implementation of GHS, with additional EU-specific classification criteria and hazard statements. OSHA HazCom covers the US, while Canada uses WHMIS. Because each adopts different GHS revision levels and local requirements, an SDS compliant in the EU may need adaptation to meet US OSHA HazCom requirements.
