What is the Minimum Information Required For An SDS?

An SDS can assist employers in developing worker protection programs (e.g. training) that are specific to the workplace while also taking steps to protect the environment outside of these programs.  Additionally, SDSs provide information for consumers and suppliers on how materials should be handled and transported, and what to do in the case of an emergency.

The following sixteen headers should be listed in an SDS in the order given below:

1. Identification of the substance/mixture and of the supplier
2. Hazards identification
3. Composition/Information on ingredients
4. First-aid measures
5. Fire-fighting measures
6. Accidental release measures
7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure controls/Personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information

But what should you write in each section?  The minimum information that should be provided in each section is listed below.  If specific information is not applicable or not available under a particular sub-heading, the SDS should clearly state this.  Additionally, SDSs should also contain relevant information that is required for the nation or region for which the SDS is intended.

Minimum Information for an SDS:

1. Identification of the substance/mixture and of the supplier
   1. GHS Product Identifier
   2. Other means of identification
   3. Recommended use of the chemical and restrictions on use
   4. Supplier’s details (name, address, phone number, etc)
   5. Emergency phone number
2. Hazard Identification
   1. GHS classification of the substance/mixture and any national or regional information
   2. GHS label elements, including precautionary statements.  Hazard symbols may be provided as a graphical reproduction of the symbols in the black and white or the name of the symbol (e.g. “flame”, “skull and crossbones”)
   3. Other hazards which do not result in the classification (e.g. “dust explosion hazard”) or are not covered by the GHS
3. Composition information on ingredients
   1. Substance
      1. Chemical identity
      2. Common name, synonyms, etc
      3. CAS number, EC number, and other unique identifiers
      4. Impurities and stabilizing additives which are themselves classified and which contribute to the classification of a substance
   2. Mixture
      1. The chemical identity and concentration or concentration ranges of all ingredients which are hazardous within the meaning of the GHS and are present above their cut-off levels.
      2. Cutoff level for reproductive toxicity, carcinogenicity, and category 1 mutagenicity is ≥ 0.1%
      3. Cutoff level for all other hazard classes is ≥ 1%
4. First-aid measures
   1. Description of necessary measures, subdivided according to the different routes of exposure (i.e. inhalation, skin and eye contact, and ingestion)
   2. Most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed
   3. Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary
5. Fire-fighting measures
   1. Suitable (and unsuitable) extinguishing media
   2. Specific hazards arising from the chemical (e.g. nature of any hazardous combustion products)
   3. Special protective equipment and precautions for fire-fighters
6. Accidental release measures
   1. Personal precautions, protective equipment, and emergency procedures
   2. Environmental precautions
   3. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
7. Handling and storage
   1. Precautions for safe handling
   2. Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
8. Exposure controls/Personal protection
   1. Control parameters (e.g. occupational exposure limit values or biological limit values)
   2. Appropriate engineering controls
   3. Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment
9. Physical and chemical properties
   1. Appearance (physical state, color, etc)
   2. Odor
   3. Odor threshold
   4. pH
   5. Melting point/freezing point
   6. Initial boiling point and boiling range
   7. Flash point
   8. Evaporation rate
   9. Flammability (solid, gas)
   10. Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
   11. Vapor pressure
   12. Vapor density
   13. Relative density
   14. Solubility
   15. Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water
   16. Auto-ignition temperature
   17. Decomposition temperature
10. Stability and reactivity
    1. Chemical stability
    2. Possibility of hazardous reactions
    3. Conditions to avoid (e.g. static discharge, shock, or vibration)
    4. Incompatible materials
    5. Hazardous decomposition products
11. Toxicological information
    1. Information on the likely routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact)
    2. Symptoms related to the physical, chemical, and toxicological characteristics
    3. Delayed and immediate effects and also chronic effects from short and long term exposure
    4. Numerical measures of toxicity (such as acute toxicity estimates)
12. Ecological information
    1. Ecotoxicity (aquatic and terrestrial, where available)
    2. Persistence and degradability
    3. Bioaccumulative potential
    4. Mobility in the soil
    5. Other adverse effects
13. Disposal considerations – description of waste resides and information on their safe handling and methods of disposal, including the disposal of any contaminated packaging
14. Transport information
    1. UN number
    2. UN proper shipping name
    3. Transport hazard class(es)
    4. Packing group, if applicable
    5. Environmental hazards (e.g. marine pollutant (yes/no))
    6. Transport in bulk
    7. Special precautions which a user needs to be aware of, or needs to comply with, in connection with the transport or conveyance within or outside their premises
15. Regulatory information – Safety, health, and environmental regulations specific for the product in question
16. Other information – including information on preparation and revision of the SDS