SDS Services
GHS has harmonized the format and content of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). There are 16 sections in standard GHS safety data sheets (as shown below). GHS has also set the minimum info required for each section.
The 16 Sections of an SDS are as follows:
Identification:
Includes all chemical product identifiers, supplier, manufacturer or distributor name and detailed contact information, recommended use, and restrictions on use, and emergency contact phone number.
Hazard identification:
Includes exact classification of the chemical substance, all hazards, and required GHS label elements including precautionary statements and pictograms.
Composition/information on Ingredients:
includes all information on chemical ingredients and information on complex substances. If applicable, the Confidential Business Information rules take priority, and confidential information about the chemical product may be omitted.
First-aid measures:
Includes advice on first-aid measures and symptoms and effects of exposure to chemical (acute and delayed) and indication of need for immediate medical attention.
Fire-fighting measures:
Includes the requirements for extinguishing a fire caused by the chemical substance and specific hazards arising from chemical fire.
Accidental release measures:
Includes the emergency procedures needed to respond to spills or leaks of chemical product, environmental precautions, and proper methods of containment and cleanup.
Handling and storage:
Includes guidelines for safe handling practices of chemical substance and safe storage, including incompatibilities.
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Includes “occupational exposure limits” of workplace, specific protection and prevention measures, and how to minimize exposure and risk.
Physical and chemical properties:
Provides details on each property of the chemical material.
Stability and reactivity:
Provides all details in regards to chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.
Toxicological information:
Primary used by medical, and health and safety professionals, this section includes all toxological health effects and all available data to support the information.
Ecological information:
Includes the evaluation of the environmental impact of the chemical substance on the environment, if released.
Disposal considerations:
Provides information on proper disposal of chemical substance including specific precautions.
Transport information:
Includes all classification information for the transporting or shipment of the chemical product.
Regulatory information:
Includes any additional regulatory information not found elsewhere in the SDS.
Other information:
Includes the date of preparation or last revision, a key to all abbreviations or acronyms, and sources for data used to gather information for the SDS. When authorities adopt GHS for their own chemical hazard communication system, they often issue their own GHS regulations or GHS standards
