Safety data sheet

A safety data sheet (SDS), material safety data sheet (MSDS) or product safety data sheet (PSDS) is an important document containing information related to the properties, handling, storage and hazards of a chemical compound or mixture.

General characteristics

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) contains a standard specification for safety data sheets. The SDS follows a 16 section format which is internationally agreed and for substances especially, the SDS should be followed with an Annex which contains the exposure scenarios of this particular substance. The 16 sections are:

• SECTION 1: Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking
  • 1.1. Product identifier
  • 1.2. Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against
  • 1.3. Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet
  • 1.4. Emergency telephone number
• SECTION 2: Hazards identification
  • 2.1. Classification of the substance or mixture
  • 2.2. Label elements
  • 2.3. Other hazards
• SECTION 3: Composition/information on ingredients
  • 3.1. Substances
  • 3.2. Mixtures
• SECTION 4: First aid measures
  • 4.1. Description of first aid measures
  • 4.2. Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
  • 4.3. Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
• SECTION 5: Firefighting measures
  • 5.1. Extinguishing media
  • 5.2. Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
  • 5.3. Advice for firefighters
• SECTION 6: Accidental release measure
  • 6.1. Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
  • 6.2. Environmental precautions
  • 6.3. Methods and material for containment and cleaning up
  • 6.4. Reference to other sections
• SECTION 7: Handling and storage
  • 7.1. Precautions for safe handling
  • 7.2. Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
  • 7.3. Specific end use(s)
• SECTION 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
  • 8.1. Control parameters
  • 8.2. Exposure controls
• SECTION 9: Physical and chemical properties
  • 9.1. Information on basic physical and chemical properties
  • 9.2. Other information
• SECTION 10: Stability and reactivity
  • 10.1. Reactivity
  • 10.2. Chemical stability
  • 10.3. Possibility of hazardous reactions
  • 10.4. Conditions to avoid
  • 10.5. Incompatible materials
  • 10.6. Hazardous decomposition products
• SECTION 11: Toxicological information
  • 11.1. Information on toxicological effects
• SECTION 12: Ecological information
  • 12.1. Toxicity
  • 12.2. Persistence and degradability
  • 12.3. Bioaccumulative potential
  • 12.4. Mobility in soil
  • 12.5. Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
  • 12.6. Other adverse effects
• SECTION 13: Disposal considerations
  • 13.1. Waste treatment methods
• SECTION 14: Transport information
  • 14.1. UN number
  • 14.2. UN proper shipping name
  • 14.3. Transport hazard class(es)
  • 14.4. Packing group
  • 14.5. Environmental hazards
  • 14.6. Special precautions for user
  • 14.7. Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL73/78 and the IBC Code
• SECTION 15: Regulatory information
  • 15.1. Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
  • 15.2. Chemical safety assessment
• SECTION 16: Other information
  • 16.2. Date of the latest revision of the SDS

MSDS sheets are generally written for industrial or commercial entities and their activities, displaying the worst case scenario possible, a.k.a. accidents, and are less applicable for most domestic products, though they are still suitable for many hazardous OTC products, especially flammable materials.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• MSDS sheets?
• Chemical Inventory / MSDS Datastore / etc.
• MSDS inconsistencies
• MSDS bloopers?