Manufacturers Health and Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Hazard Communication legislation requires suppliers of hazardous substances to provide safety data sheets. The basic design and section headings for this document generally follow a globally used standard (based on an ANSI/ISO standard).

Safety Data Sheets must contain the following information in 16 sections:

1. Identification of the substance or preparation and supplier – its commercial name, identical to that on the label. The supplier – name, address and emergency contact phone numbers.
2. Composition and Information on ingredients – chemical names.
3. Hazard Identification – a summary of the most important features, including likely adverse human health effects and symptoms.
4. First Aid measures – separated for the various risks, and specific, practical and easily understood.
5. Fire-­fighting measures – emphasising any special requirements.
6. Accidental release measures – covering safety, environmental protection and clean-­ up.
7. Handling and Storage – recommendations for best practice, including any special storage conditions or incompatible materials.
8. Exposure Controls and personal protection – any specific recommendations, such as particular ventilation systems and PPE.
9. Physical and Chemical properties – physical, stability and solubility properties.
10. Stability and reactivity – conditions and materials to avoid.
11. Toxicological Information – acute and chronic effects, routes of exposure and symptoms.
12. Ecological Information – environmental fate of the chemical and its effects, which could include patterns of degradation and effects on aquatic, soil and terrestrial organisms, etc.
13. Disposal Considerations – advice on specific dangers and legislation.
14. Transport Information – special precautions.
15. Regulatory Information - overall classification of the product and any specific legislation that may be applicable.
16. Other Information – any additional relevant information not captured in preceding sections (e.g. explanation of abbreviations used, product disclaimers).

Section 5 of the ILO Code for "Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work" sets out a requirement that:

"The supplier should provide an employer with essential information about hazardous chemicals in the form of a chemical safety data sheet. The information should be given in the official language of the country in which the employer is located or in another language, agreed to in writing by the employer".

The "Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)" requirement for safety data sheets (SDS) only relates to occupational situations. In general, SD information is not required or provided for:

• The offer or sale of dangerous substances or mixtures to the general public provided sufficient information is provided to enable users to take the necessary measures as regards safety, protection of human health and the environment.
• If the substances/mixtures are not classified as dangerous.

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