Safety data sheet

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An example SDS, including guidance for handling a hazardous substance and information on its composition and properties Cr-Ac-OH-MSDS SigmaAldrich.pdf
An example SDS, including guidance for handling a hazardous substance and information on its composition and properties

A safety data sheet (SDS), [1] material safety data sheet (MSDS), or product safety data sheet (PSDS) is a document that lists information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products. SDSs are a widely used type of fact sheet used to catalogue information on chemical species including chemical compounds and chemical mixtures. SDS information may include instructions for the safe use and potential hazards associated with a particular material or product, along with spill-handling procedures. The older MSDS formats could vary from source to source within a country depending on national requirements; however, the newer SDS format is internationally standardized.

Contents

An SDS for a substance is not primarily intended for use by the general consumer, focusing instead on the hazards of working with the material in an occupational setting. There is also a duty to properly label substances on the basis of physico-chemical, health, or environmental risk. Labels often include hazard symbols such as the European Union standard symbols. The same product (e.g. paints sold under identical brand names by the same company) can have different formulations in different countries. The formulation and hazards of a product using a generic name may vary between manufacturers in the same country.

Globally Harmonized System

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals contains a standard specification for safety data sheets. [2] 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. [3] The 16 sections are: [4]

National and international requirements

Canada

In Canada, the program known as the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) establishes the requirements for SDSs in workplaces and is administered federally by Health Canada under the Hazardous Products Act, Part II, and the Controlled Products Regulations.

European Union

Safety data sheets have been made an integral part of the system of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH). [6] The original requirements of REACH for SDSs have been further adapted to take into account the rules for safety data sheets of the Global Harmonised System (GHS) [7] and the implementation of other elements of the GHS into EU legislation that were introduced by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) [8] via an update to Annex II of REACH. [9]

The SDS must be supplied in an official language of the Member State(s) where the substance or mixture is placed on the market, unless the Member State(s) concerned provide(s) otherwise (Article 31(5) of REACH).

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a guidance document on the compilation of safety data sheets.

Germany

In Germany, safety data sheets must be compiled in accordance with REACH Regulation No. 1907/2006. The requirements concerning national aspects are defined in the Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) 220 "National aspects when compiling safety data sheets". [10] A national measure mentioned in SDS section 15 is as example the water hazard class (WGK) it is based on regulations governing systems for handling substances hazardous to waters (AwSV). [11]

The Netherlands

Dutch Safety Data Sheets are well known as veiligheidsinformatieblad or Chemiekaarten. This is a collection of Safety Data Sheets of the most widely used chemicals. The Chemiekaarten boek is commercially available, but also made available through educational institutes, such as the web site offered by the University of Groningen. [12]

South Africa

This section contributes to a better understanding of the regulations governing SDS within the South African framework. As regulations may change, it is the responsibility of the reader to verify the validity of the regulations mentioned in text.

As globalisation increased and countries engaged in cross-border trade, the quantity of hazardous material crossing international borders amplified. [13] Realising the detrimental effects of hazardous trade, the United Nations established a committee of experts specialising in the transportation of hazardous goods. [14] The committee provides best practises governing the conveyance of hazardous materials and goods for land including road and railway; air as well as sea transportation. These best practises are constantly updated to remain current and relevant.

There are various other international bodies who provide greater detail and guidance for specific modes of transportation such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) by means of the International Maritime Code [15] and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) via the Technical Instructions for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air [16] as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) who provides regulations for the transport of dangerous goods.

These guidelines prescribed by the international authorities are applicable to the South African land, sea and air transportation of hazardous materials and goods. In addition to these rules and regulations to International best practice, South Africa has also implemented common laws which are laws based on custom and practise. Common laws are a vital part of maintaining public order and forms the basis of case laws. Case laws, using the principles of common law are interpretations and decisions of statutes made by courts. Acts of parliament are determinations and regulations by parliament which form the foundation of statutory law. Statutory laws are published in the government gazette or on the official website. Lastly, subordinate legislation are the bylaws issued by local authorities and authorised by parliament.

Statutory law gives effect to the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 and the National Road Traffic Act of 1996. The Occupational Health and Safety Act details the necessary provisions for the safe handling and storage of hazardous materials and goods whilst the transport act details with the necessary provisions for the transportation of the hazardous goods.

Relevant South African legislation includes the Hazardous Chemicals Agent regulations of 2021 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993, [17] the Chemical Substance Act 15 of 1973, and the National Road Traffic Act of 1996, [18] and the Standards Act of 2008. [19] [20]

There has been selective incorporation of aspects of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals into South African legislation. At each point of the chemical value chain, there is a responsibility to manage chemicals in a safe and responsible manner. SDS is therefore required by law. [21] A SDS is included in the requirements of Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No.85 of 1993) Regulation 1179 dated 25 August 1995.

The categories of information supplied in the SDS are listed in SANS 11014:2010; dangerous goods standards – Classification and information. SANS 11014:2010 supersedes the first edition SANS 11014-1:1994 and is an identical implementation of ISO 11014:2009. According to SANS 11014:2010:

United Kingdom

In the U.K., the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002 - known as CHIP Regulations - impose duties upon suppliers, and importers into the EU, of hazardous materials. [22]

NOTE: Safety data sheets (SDS) are no longer covered by the CHIP regulations. The laws that require a SDS to be provided have been transferred to the European REACH Regulations. [23]

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations govern the use of hazardous substances in the workplace in the UK and specifically require an assessment of the use of a substance. [24] Regulation 12 requires that an employer provides employees with information, instruction and training for people exposed to hazardous substances. This duty would be very nearly impossible without the data sheet as a starting point. It is important for employers therefore to insist on receiving a data sheet from a supplier of a substance.

The duty to supply information is not confined to informing only business users of products. SDSs for retail products sold by large DIY shops are usually obtainable on those companies' web sites.

Web sites of manufacturers and large suppliers do not always include them even if the information is obtainable from retailers but written or telephone requests for paper copies will usually be responded to favourably.

United Nations

The United Nations (UN) defines certain details used in SDSs such as the UN numbers used to identify some hazardous materials in a standard form while in international transit.

United States

In the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that SDSs be readily available to all employees for potentially harmful substances handled in the workplace under the Hazard Communication Standard [25] . The SDS is also required to be made available to local fire departments and local and state emergency planning officials under Section 311 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The American Chemical Society defines Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS numbers) which provide a unique number for each chemical and are also used internationally in SDSs.

Reviews of material safety data sheets by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board have detected dangerous deficiencies.

The board's Combustible Dust Hazard Study analyzed 140 data sheets of substances capable of producing combustible dusts. [26] None of the SDSs contained all the information the board said was needed to work with the material safely, and 41 percent failed to even mention that the substance was combustible.

As part of its study of an explosion and fire that destroyed the Barton Solvents facility in Valley Center, Kansas, in 2007, the safety board reviewed 62 material safety data sheets for commonly used nonconductive flammable liquids. As in the combustible dust study, the board found all the data sheets inadequate. [27]

In 2012, the US adopted the 16 section Safety Data Sheet to replace Material Safety Data Sheets. This became effective on 1 December 2013. These new Safety Data Sheets comply with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). By 1 June 2015, employers were required to have their workplace labeling and hazard communication programs updated as necessary – including all MSDSs replaced with SDS-formatted documents. [28]

SDS authoring

Many companies offer the service of collecting, or writing and revising, data sheets to ensure they are up to date and available for their subscribers or users. Some jurisdictions impose an explicit duty of care that each SDS be regularly updated, usually every three to five years. [29] However, when new information becomes available, the SDS must be revised without delay. [30] If a full SDS is not feasible, then a reduced workplace label should be authored. [31]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Datasheet</span> Technical document summarizing performance and constraints of system components

A datasheet, data sheet, or spec sheet is a document that summarizes the performance and other characteristics of a product, machine, component, material, subsystem, or software in sufficient detail that allows a buyer to understand what the product is and a design engineer to understand the role of the component in the overall system. Typically, a datasheet is created by the manufacturer and begins with an introductory page describing the rest of the document, followed by listings of specific characteristics, with further information on the connectivity of the devices. In cases where there is relevant source code to include, it is usually attached near the end of the document or separated into another file. Datasheets are created, stored, and distributed via product information management or product data management systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazard symbol</span> Warning symbol on locations or products

Hazard symbols are recognizable symbols designed to warn about hazardous or dangerous materials, locations, or objects, including electromagnetic fields, electric currents; harsh, toxic or unstable chemicals ; and radioactivity. The use of hazard symbols is often regulated by law and directed by standards organizations. Hazard symbols may appear with different colors, backgrounds, borders, and supplemental information in order to specify the type of hazard and the level of threat. Warning symbols are used in many places in place of or in addition to written warnings as they are quickly recognized and more universally understood, as the same symbol can be recognized as having the same meaning to speakers of different languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dangerous goods</span> Solids, liquids, or gases harmful to people, other organisms, property or the environment

Dangerous goods (DG), are substances that are a risk to health, safety, property or the environment during transport. Certain dangerous goods that pose risks even when not being transported are known as hazardous materials. An example for dangerous goods is hazardous waste which is waste that has substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directive 67/548/EEC</span>

The Dangerous Substances Directive was one of the main European Union laws concerning chemical safety, until its full replacement by the new regulation CLP Regulation (2008), starting in 2016. It was made under Article 100 of the Treaty of Rome. By agreement, it is also applicable in the EEA, and compliance with the directive will ensure compliance with the relevant Swiss laws. The Directive ceased to be in force on 31 May 2015 and was repealed by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act</span> 1986 United States law

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System</span> Canadian national hazard communication standard

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System is Canada's national workplace hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system, which came into effect on October 31, 1988, are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS controlled products, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and site-specific training programs.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals</span> International standard managed by the United Nations

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally agreed-upon standard managed by the United Nations that was set up to replace the assortment of hazardous material classification and labelling schemes previously used around the world. Core elements of the GHS include standardized hazard testing criteria, universal warning pictograms, and safety data sheets which provide users of dangerous goods relevant information with consistent organization. The system acts as a complement to the UN numbered system of regulated hazardous material transport. Implementation is managed through the UN Secretariat. Although adoption has taken time, as of 2017, the system has been enacted to significant extents in most major countries of the world. This includes the European Union, which has implemented the United Nations' GHS into EU law as the CLP Regulation, and United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazardous Materials Identification System</span> Numerical hazard rating using colour coded labels

The Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) is a proprietary numerical hazard rating that incorporates the use of labels with color bars developed by the American Coatings Association as a compliance aid for the OSHA Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard. The name and abbreviation is a trademark of the American Coatings Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002</span> United Kingdom legislation

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Right to know is a human right enshrined in law in several countries. UNESCO defines it as the right for people to "participate in an informed way in decisions that affect them, while also holding governments and others accountable". It pursues universal access to information as essential foundation of inclusive knowledge societies. It is often defined in the context of the right for people to know about their potential exposure to environmental conditions or substances that may cause illness or injury, but it can also refer more generally to freedom of information or informed consent.

The Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance is a German institute located in Sankt Augustin near Bonn and is a main department of the German Social Accident Insurance. Belonging to the Statutory Accident Insurance means that IFA is a non-profit institution.

The regulation of chemicals is the legislative intent of a variety of national laws or international initiatives such as agreements, strategies or conventions. These international initiatives define the policy of further regulations to be implemented locally as well as exposure or emission limits. Often, regulatory agencies oversee the enforcement of these laws.

Hazard statements form part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). They are intended to form a set of standardized phrases about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures that can be translated into different languages. As such, they serve the same purpose as the well-known R-phrases, which they are intended to replace.

Hazard pictograms form part of the international Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Two sets of pictograms are included within the GHS: one for the labelling of containers and for workplace hazard warnings, and a second for use during the transport of dangerous goods. Either one or the other is chosen, depending on the target audience, but the two are not used together for the same hazard. The two sets of pictograms use the same symbols for the same hazards, although certain symbols are not required for transport pictograms. Transport pictograms come in wider variety of colors and may contain additional information such as a subcategory number.

European hazard symbols for chemicals are pictograms defined by the European Union for labelling chemical packaging and containers. They are standardised currently by the CLP/GHS classification.

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires employers to disclose toxic and hazardous substances in workplaces. This is related to the Worker Protection Standard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chemical storage</span>

Chemical storage is the storage of controlled substances or hazardous materials in chemical stores, chemical storage cabinets, or similar devices.

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References

  1. ↑ "Transport - Transport - UNECE". Unece.org. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets". U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  3. ↑ "Guidance - ECHA". Guidance.echa.europa.eu. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "EUR-Lex - Einfache Suche". 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ↑ EKOS (2020). "Compilation, translation Safety Data Sheet, - EKOS". EKOS.
  6. ↑ Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC,פ2000/21/EC (OJ L 396, 30 December 2006, corrected version in OJ L136, 29 May 2007, p.3).
  7. ↑ "GHS (Rev.3) (2009) - Transport - UNECE". Unece.org. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  8. ↑ Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (OJ L 353, 31 December 2008, p.1)
  9. ↑ "Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/830 of 28 May 2015 amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)". 29 May 2015. pp. 8–31. O.J. L132.
  10. ↑ "TRGS 220 National aspects when compiling safety data sheets" (PDF). BAuA.
  11. ↑ Umweltbundesamt: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/421/dokumente/notification_draft_2015_394_d_en.pdf
  12. ↑ "ICSDS, Source of all your needs on GHS SDS for an affordable fee". Icsds.com. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  13. ↑ Janelle, Donald G; Beuthe, Michel (1997). "Globalization and research issues in transportation" (PDF). Journal of Transport Geography. 5 (3). Elsevier Science Ltd: 199–206. doi:10.1016/S0966-6923(97)00017-3 . Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  14. ↑ Dangerous Goods Digest - The Orange Book of Southern Africa. Foresight Publications. 2015.
  15. ↑ "About IMO". Imo.org. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "Annex 18". Icao.int. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)". Acts.co.za. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  18. ↑ "National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996)". Acts.co.za. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  19. ↑ "Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008)". Acts.co.za. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "Giving You the Quality Edge". South Africa Bureau of Standards.
  21. ↑ "Health and safety laws update July 2015". Sheqafrica.com. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002". Opsi.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  23. ↑ "Redirect to... Chemical classification". Hse.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  24. ↑ "Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)". Hse.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  25. ↑ "29 CFR 1910.1200 -- Hazard communication". www.ecfr.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  26. ↑ "U.S Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, Investigation Report, Combustible Dust Hazard Study, Report No. 2006-H-1" (PDF). Csb.gov. November 2006. pp. 38, 88–95. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  27. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. ↑ "GHS Overview - SafeTec". Safetec.net. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  29. ↑ "GHS Booklet (Singapore)" (PDF). Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  30. ↑ European Chemicals Agency (2013). Guidance in a Nutshell - Compilation of safety data sheets (REACH Regulation) Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine . Version 1.0. p. 7.
  31. ↑ Ministry of Education, Singapore (2016). School Science Laboratory Management and Safety Handbook. Curriculum Planning and Development Division 1. p. 36.
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