A Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) contains all the relevant information regarding the properties of a particular substance. It helps users of the substances to carry out suitable COSHH risk assessments. By law (REACH and GHS) suppliers of chemicals must provide an up-to-date Safety Data Sheet if a substance is deemed dangerous for supply. It provides employees and emergency personnel with details about the hazards the substance presents and the procedures for handling and working with it in a safe and risk reduced manner.
All Safety Data Sheets need to contain information set out under 16 headings and should include data such as physical data, toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, personal protective equipment and spill-handling procedures.
Suppliers of chemicals have a legal responsibility to provide a current Safety Data Sheet if a substance is deemed ‘dangerous for supply’.
A Safety Data Sheet is not the same as a Risk Assessment– it simply provides the relevant guidance to help you make your own assessment.
Frequent Asked Questions about Safety Data Sheets:
How do I know if my Safety Data Sheet is current?
A Safety Data Sheet is supplied by the manufacturer when a product is initially purchased. However, unless the substance formulation changes (or you ask for another copy) you will not be aware of or receive an updated safety data sheet from the manufacturer. It is your responsibility to check that your Safety Data Sheets are up to date.
Within the Sevron COSHH Management software you can access the Safety Data Sheets without having to contact the manufacturer as we regularly collate the latest versions and add them to the Library.
How do I know if my Safety Data Sheet is compliant?
All substances classified as hazardous to health under the Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply (CHIP) Regulations 2009 require a warning label. From December 2010 CHIP has been replaced with the Classification, Labelling & Packaging of Substances & Mixtures (CLP) Regulations. CLP will replace all existing European classification at the end of the transitional period.
Under the European Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulations, suppliers must provide a safety data sheet for harmful substances. Important note: Safety Data Sheets for substances which comply with the USA’s OSHA regulations are not compatible with UK/EU COSHH law and a UK/EU safety data sheet should be requested.
How many sections must be included on the Safety Data Sheet?
All Safety Data Sheets must contain information set out under 16 headings. You will find the most important data under the following sections:
- Section 8: exposure controls and protection.
- Section 9: the boiling point or initial boiling point (if a liquid).
- Section 15: the Risk (R) or Hazard (H) statements that indicate the hazards.
For emergencies, Sections 4, 5 and 6 also provide useful information.
Note: European regulations require that specific risk and safety phrases appear on the labels and safety data sheets.
If a substance is classified as ‘non-hazardous’, do I still need to produce a Safety Data Sheet?
A Safety Data Sheet must be supplied if the substance is classified as dangerous under Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/EEC or Dangerous Preparations Directive, 1995/45/EC or classified as hazardous under the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 or if it is a substance that is persistent, bio accumulative and toxic or a substance that is included in the European Chemicals Agency’s ‘Candidate List’ of substances of very high concern.
Whose name and address should appear in section 1 of the Safety Data Sheet?
The name and address should be that of the person placing the substance or preparation on the market. This could be the manufacturer, importer or distributor based in the EEA. If the manufacturer is not in the EEA, then an EEA name and address is mandatory.
What language does a Safety Data Sheet need to be in?
Safety Data Sheets are required to be in the native language(s) of that country i.e. a Safety Data Sheet in the UK must be in English. It is the manufacturer or supplier (whichever puts the product for sale in that particular market) that is responsible for creating the Data Sheet.