SDS

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), which were formerly known as Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products.

Each SDS must provide the following information:

• Section 1, Identification includes product identifier information:
  • Manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number
  • Emergency phone number
  • Recommended use
  • Restrictions on use
• Section 2, Hazard(s) identification includes all hazards regarding the chemical and required label elements.
• Section 3, Composition/information on ingredients includes information about chemical ingredients.
• Section 4, First-aid measures includes information about important symptoms, effects, and required treatment.
• Section 5, Fire-fighting measures lists suitable extinguishing techniques and equipment.
• Section 6, Accidental release measures lists emergency procedures, protective equipment, and proper methods of containment and cleanup.
• Section 7, Handling and storage lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.
• Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protection lists the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), appropriate engineering controls, and PPE.
• Section 9, Physical and chemical properties lists the chemical's characteristics.
• Section 10, Stability and reactivity lists information about chemical stability and the possibility of hazardous reactions.
• Section 11, Toxicological information includes routes of exposure, related symptoms, acute and chronic effects, and numerical measures of toxicity.
• Section 12, Ecological information* lists information about ecotoxicity (aquatic and terrestrial), persistence and degradability, bioaccumulative potential, mobility in the soil, and other adverse effects.
• Section 13, Disposal considerations* describes waste residues and information on their safe handling and methods of disposal, including the disposal of any contaminated packaging.
• Section 14, Transport information* lists transport hazard classes, packing group, environmental hazards, and precautions regarding the transport or conveyance within or outside their premises.
• Section 15, Regulatory information* lists safety, health and environmental regulations specific for the product in question.
• Section 16, Other information includes the date of preparation or of the last revision.

* OSHA does not enforce these sections because these areas of concern are regulated by other government agencies.

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