Companies placing chemical products on the market are required to provide Safety Data Sheets. This is essential, as anyone handling chemicals needs accurate information on the product’s hazardous properties and the protective measures necessary to ensure safe use.
But can you rely on the information provided in an SDS? In general, yes — but there are recurring mistakes that appear more frequently than others, and it’s useful to be aware of them.
Section 1: Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking
Emergency telephone number – this section must include an emergency number for the country in which the product is placed on the market. The number for the Poison Information Centre should also be included if the product is classified as hazardous to health and/or due to its physical properties.
Section 2: Hazards Identification
Missing supplementary labelling phrases – In some cases, products may require labelling phrases that fall outside the CLP Regulation, such as those required under the VOC Directive or the Detergents Regulation. These must be included in Section 2.
Misleading concentration ranges for constituent substances – If a range is used instead of an exact concentration, the upper limit of the range must be sufficient to justify the product’s classification. This applies to Sections 2 and 3 in the Safety Data Sheet.
Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients
Missing substance identification – in some cases, constituent substances may be listed without a CAS number. These must be included. Where an EC number and a REACH registration number exist, these must also be provided.
Incorrect classification of constituent substances – not all substances have a harmonised classification, but when they do, this classification must be used. If any derogation or alternative classification is applied, this must be clearly stated. This can be verified directly via ECHA’s database.
Section 4: First Aid Measures
Symptoms following exposure – Section 4 must describe any symptoms and effects that may occur as a result of exposure. A common mistake is that suppliers instead repeat the product’s hazardous properties, which is not sufficient or compliant.
Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Missing Workplace Exposure Limits – In the UK, certain substances have Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) set under the COSHH Regulations. Where applicable, these limits must be included in Section 8 of the Safety Data Sheet.
Incomplete information on protective equipment – Recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE), must not be overly general. Section 8 should specify, for example, the appropriate glove material, the type of respiratory protection, and/or the required ventilation. Terms such as “suitable” gloves or “adequate” ventilation are not specific enough to ensure safe handling by the user.
Sections 11 and 12: Toxicological and Ecological Information
Missing toxicological and/or ecological data – If this information is not available, the safety data sheet must include a written justification explaining why.
Section 13: Disposal Considerations
Incomplete disposal information – The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must specify how empty containers and product residues are to be handled. Phrases such as “dispose of in accordance with local regulations” are not sufficient. It is also important to remember that used product – for example, used oils or additives – may have different properties after use. In such cases, it is the user’s responsibility to determine the appropriate disposal method based on their specific process and the condition of the waste.
Section 16: Other Information
Missing information on updates – When a Safety Data Sheet is revised, it must clearly state which changes have been made compared to the previous version. This may be presented as text referencing the relevant sections or through margin markings indicating where updates have occurred.
Other
Inconsistent information – one of the requirements of the legislation is that the information provided must be clear. A common issue is inconsistency between sections. For example, a product may be classified as flammable but lack information on flash point, or be classified as corrosive without providing pH data. Another example is when the recommended risk management measures do not correspond to the product’s classification.
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