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Українськаsds-info
Safety Data Sheet (Safety Data Sheet, abbreviated SDS) is a basic document for the safe handling of chemical substances and mixtures. It contains detailed information on risks, health protection, transport and disposal. It is required by EU legislation and mandatory for all entities that manufacture, import or place chemicals on the market.
Safety data sheets also serve as the basic basis for notifying hazardous mixtures to poison centres in the so-called PCN format (Poison Centre Notification), as required by Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation.
Who uses safety data sheets?
Safety data sheets are a key tool for many entities that come into contact with chemical substances:
Employers
for risk assessment and implementation of safety measures
Staff
for safe handling of chemicals
Shipping companies
for the correct handling and transport of dangerous goods
Poison control centers
for providing first aid in case of exposure
Consumers
for informed decisions about product use
Legal requirements for SDS under REACH
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are regulated by the REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006) and their content is governed by Annex II of this Regulation. The current structure is set out in Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/878, which is binding from 1 January 2023 and takes into account the changes resulting from the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
This format is uniform throughout the European Union and ensures clarity and easy orientation in the information. Each safety data sheet must be prepared according to a fixed division into 16 sections. These sections include, for example, classification, first aid measures or storage.
Language and distribution requirements
SDS language
Unless a Member State specifies otherwise, the safety data sheet must be drawn up in the official language of the country to which the product is supplied.
Form and availability
The document must be provided to the recipient free of charge, in printed or electronic form.
Handover date
The SDS shall be provided no later than the date of first supply of the substance or mixture.
When must a safety data sheet be supplied with a product?
The obligation to provide a safety data sheet for a product is based on its composition and classification. In general, there are several groups of products for which a safety data sheet must be provided.
- a substance or mixture classified as hazardous according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP),
- a substance that is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) according to Annex XIII of REACH,
- a substance that has been included in the authorisation list according to Annex XIV of REACH.
Note: For mixtures that are not officially classified as hazardous but contain a certain proportion of hazardous ingredients, a safety data sheet must be provided on request in accordance with Article 31(3) of the REACH Regulation.
There are groups of products and substances for which a safety data sheet does not need to be prepared – typically these are articles or specific products subject to other legislation.
- Articles (e.g. finished products that do not release hazardous substances during normal use)
- Medicinal products for human and veterinary use
- Cosmetic products
- Medical devices
- Food and feed
- Radioactive substances
- Intermediates not placed on the market
Note: Although not explicitly required by law, in practice, an SDS may be prepared for these products – e.g. due to customer requirements, export outside the EU, or to provide clear information on safe handling.
Who is responsible for the safety data sheet and who compiles it?
The correctness and up-to-dateness of the safety data sheet is the responsibility of every entity in the supply chain, regardless of who actually prepared the document. In other words: whoever places the substance or mixture on the market bears full legal responsibility.
Fabric supplier
Has initial responsibility for the SDS, whether it is the manufacturer, importer or only representative.
Mixture supplier
The safety data sheet is not only the responsibility of the original manufacturer of the mixture, but also of anyone who further distributes, packages or labels it.
The preparation of the safety data sheet should be ensured by a professionally qualified person who has the necessary knowledge, experience or has completed the necessary training.
- A person with appropriate knowledge of chemical legislation,
- a person with experience in the field of toxicology, ecology and occupational safety,
- or a person who has completed training or courses.
Note: The legislation (REACH) does not precisely define the term "professionally competent person", but it is generally accepted that it refers to an individual or team with experience and expertise in a given area.
However, in some cases, this professional competence also requires knowledge of other specific regulations that apply to certain types of substances or products.
- explosives
- biocidal products
- plant protection products
- detergents containing surfactants
When and why to update a safety data sheet
The safety data sheet must be updated whenever there is a change that may affect the risk assessment or handling of the substance or mixture.
Change in hazard
Change in risk management measures
Granting or refusing permission
Saving restrictions
Change of formal appearance
10 + 1 frequently asked questions about the safety data sheet
A safety data sheet is mandatory if a substance or mixture is classified as hazardous under the CLP Regulation, or if it contains substances from the PBT, vPvB register or the REACH list of permitted substances. For some non-classified mixtures, it is provided on request.
No. The SDS does not apply to finished “articles” (e.g. plastic parts, furniture), pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food or feed. However, in practice, it is sometimes prepared voluntarily for these products, e.g. due to customer requirements.
Yes – every actor in the supply chain who places a substance or mixture on the market is responsible for ensuring that the safety data sheet is up-to-date and correct.
The safety data sheet must have the 16 sections set out in Annex II of the REACH Regulation, including information on hazards, first aid, health protection, transport or waste management.
The SDS is processed in the official language of the target country – e.g. in the Czech Republic, in Czech.
The safety data sheet should be compiled by a professionally qualified person - i.e. a person with sufficient knowledge of chemical legislation, risks and experience in the field of occupational safety or toxicology.
For example, when the classification of the substances contained is changed, new toxicological data are available, authorisation is granted/refused, or formal requirements change. An updated sheet must be provided free of charge to everyone who has purchased the product in the last 12 months.
Ask the supplier with reference to Article 31 of the REACH Regulation. If he does not provide it, he is in breach of the law and may be sanctioned.
Not necessarily. It can also be stored electronically, but it must be accessible to employees and inspection authorities at any time.
Not necessarily. The obligation is based on European legislation, but some third countries may have similar requirements. As a rule, it is recommended to prepare an SDS also for export purposes.
A safety data sheet (SDS) can be prepared from two types of documents:
From the original SDS from the supplier – if you are only reselling or repackaging the product, you can simply use the original safety data sheet and adapt it to your own needs.
Based on the composition of your own mixture – if you mix the product yourself (e.g. from multiple chemicals), you need to provide the product recipe and safety data sheets for the individual raw materials.
Safety data sheet structure
The document has a well-defined structure, which includes 16 sections. The titles of the individual sections and subsections are given in Annex II, Part B of the REACH Regulation:
1.1. Product identifier
1.2. Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against
1.3. Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet
1.4. Emergency telephone number
2.1. Classification of the substance or mixture
2.2. Label elements
2.3. Other hazards
3.1. Substances
3.2. Mixtures
4.1. Description of first aid measures
4.2. Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
4.3. Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
5.1. Extinguishing media
5.2. Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
5.3. Advice for firefighters
6.1. Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
6.2. Environmental precautions
6.3. Methods and material for containment and cleaning up
6.4. Reference to other sections
7.1. Precautions for safe handling
7.2. Conditions for safe storage of substances and mixtures, including any incompatibilities
7.3. Specific end use(s)
8.1. Control parameters
8.2. Exposure controls
9.1. Information on basic physical and chemical properties
9.2. Other information
10.1. Reactivity
10.2. Chemical stability
10.3. Possibility of hazardous reactions
10.4. Conditions to avoid
10.5. Incompatible materials
10.6. Hazardous decomposition products
11.1. Information on the hazard classes defined in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
11.2. Information on other hazards
12.1. Toxicity
12.2. Persistence and degradability
12.3. Bioaccumulative potential
12.4. Mobility in soil
12.5. Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
12.6. Endocrine disrupting properties
12.7. Other adverse effects
13.1. Waste management methods
14.1. UN number or ID number
14.2. UN proper shipping name
14.3. Transport hazard class(es)
14.4. Packing group
14.5. Environmental hazards
14.6. Special precautions for user
14.7. Sea bulk transport according to IMO instruments
15.1. Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
15.2. Chemical safety assessment
Want to see what a safety data sheet actually looks like?
View a practical SDS example and see what each section actually contains. The sample document will help you better understand the requirements and structure of a safety data sheet, as well as the entire process of writing one.
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