By Anu Kattoju, Regulatory Compliance Specialist
As businesses expand, so does the territory in which manufacturers and suppliers reach. As expansion commences across international borders a very pertinent requirement is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). A Safety Data Sheet is a sixteen-section document that’s main purpose is to educate a product’s user about the chemical(s) hazards, potential risks, and safety information associated with a product. These hazards can be categorized into three classes: physical, health, and environmental. Hazard classification is the determination of the nature and severity of chemicals. An SDS will inform a user if they need to take precautions due to a product’s composition. Hazards are reported with corresponding occupational exposure limits. The occupational exposure limits minimize your hazard(s) from chemicals that may affect your health by inhaling the fumes or dust. Other sections on the SDS detail toxicology, ecotoxicity, disposal information, as well as shipping precautions.
The transportation section will include such information as the assigned UN #, Packing Group, and Hazard Class to your product. This section is critical as it informs the customer and shipping company how to safely handle the product. The information included in all sections of an SDS should be as accurate as possible, as false information may result in large fines.
When transporting goods and materials across international borders, it is important to take note of country-specific regulatory jurisdictions. A Safety Data Sheet authored for the United States will not meet the conditions necessary for the European Union. Each Jurisdiction has its own set of requirements and preferred format. The Globally Harmonized System was developed by the United Nations to bring chemical regulations and standards of different countries into agreement. However, no country is obligated to adopt all or even part of the Globally Harmonized System. This created differing hazard classifications between jurisdictions; for example, a chemical that is carcinogenic in one country may not be considered carcinogenic in another country.
TotalSDS takes this into consideration, allowing for products to be easily generated between jurisdictional standards.
While materials and goods travel across international borders with their corresponding SDSs, it is a requirement to provide a Safety Data Sheet that is in the destination’s native language. Translations are not as simple as using Google Translate. Due to the complexity found in Safety Data Sheets, accurate translations typically require experienced translators to translate the scientific phrases and language. The accurate translation of a Safety Data Sheet is critical in allowing a product to pass through a foreign country’s customs process; any irregularities could cause delays within customs clearing a shipment. More importantly, however, inaccuracies could be tragic in an emergency scenario. When chemicals spill and skin or eye irritation is occurring or chemical spills need to be cleaned up, the Safety Data Sheet will be consulted for immediate remedies. TotalSDS offers an extensive library of translated statements during the SDS creation process to help simplify this problem.
Numerous languages are embedded directly into our TotalSDS software, which when using our standard base statements, allow for a Safety Data Sheet to be translated immediately.
A Safety Data Sheet is a complex document. The information presented on a Safety Data Sheet needs to be correct whether being used domestically or internationally. Our Regulatory Staff have the capability to create a compliant SDS, provide training on GHS regulations, and most importantly offer a software solution for SDS Authoring and Translations.
Contact TotalSDS to find out more and book a demo today.
Search Tips
The search field uses a full word search to identify and return exact matches to product name, manufacturer name, or product code (i.e., manufacturer part number).
The word search will only return exact matches for the criteria specified.
It will not return results for the plural or singular version of the specified text or any other variation of the word. For example, search for “peanut” will not return results for SDS with “peanuts” in the product name. To see results for both terms, enter both “peanut” and “peanuts” in the search field separated by a space.
To search by the exact phrase entered type the entire phrase within parentheses (i.e., “Clorox Bleach”) to return results for SDS only with product names or manufacturer names matching the exact phrase.
To narrow results and only return SDS matching all words entered in the search field use the “+” operator between search terms.
For example, Clorox+Bleach will return only SDS with both Clorox AND Bleach in the product name or manufacturer name (i.e., product name contains “Bleach” and Manufacturer name contains “Clorox”).
To eliminate results containing certain words when searching for an SDS use the “-” operator following “+” between search terms. For example, Clorox+-Bleach will return results for Bleach products that are not manufactured by Clorox. Alternately, searching for Clorox -Bleach with a space in place of “+” will return results for Clorox AND anything that is not Bleach.
To search for a product code value (i.
e., manufacturer part number), enter the number exactly as the manufacturer specifies in the search box. Keep in mind dashes and spaces will change the matches returned in the results. For example, 80057 will return different results than 800-57 or 800 57.
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Safety data sheet SDS / (M)SDS - a mandatory accompanying document containing information on the level of danger of a substance (mixture) and possible effects on the human body and the environment during use, storage, production, transportation and recycling.
This document is required for the circulation of chemical products abroad.
Why do I need SDS / MSDS?
nine0002 SDS / (M)SDS safety data sheet is one of the legal requirements for the supply of chemical products for export to most countries of the world. In terms of format and content, SDS / (M)SDS must comply with the legal requirements of the particular country/region where deliveries are planned.With the SDS / MSDS, you will be able to:
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: In the event of additional or important information that increases the completeness and reliability of the data included in the mandatory sections, as well as in the event of a change in the composition of the product, the safety data sheet (M)SDS is subject to processing.
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What is the difference between SDS (Safety Data Sheet) and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)?
Both of these terms are the names of the same document - the chemical safety data sheet. (Material) Safety Data Sheet - the name that was used in US national law until 2017 and is now considered obsolete. Currently, the abbreviation SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is used in regulatory documents of various countries, including the United States. nine0003
Unlike safety data sheets for chemical products, ST RK 1185-2006 and GOST 30333-2007 SDS/MSDS are not subject to registration.
How to get SDS / MSDS passports in 3 steps?
Trust your time to professionals with the necessary knowledge and proven experience in this field.
Contact a chemical safety specialist for detailed advice
Our company prepares safety data sheets without special software for them.
As professionals in our field, we are convinced that only a qualified company with a good knowledge of the regulatory environment in the field of chemical safety and with experience in the application of regulatory requirements can provide quality services in the preparation and translation of safety data sheets. The translation of a safety data sheet is, first of all, the work of an expert, not a translator. nine0003
With our range of safety data sheets, we strive to provide a comprehensive service while providing our customers with the services they need to solve all their problems.
We recommend our safety data sheet service primarily to mixture manufacturers or importers to fulfill their obligation to classify their products and/or issue a safety data sheet for them. nine0003
Our BOP translation service is recommended for international distributors. We translate safety data sheets from and into all official EU languages.
For the distribution of chemical products, we can also design a label according to the safety data sheet and translate it into the language of the country of destination.
We recommend our SDS revision/update service whenever there is a change in the content of the SDS or a change is required by regulation. nine0003
Our company, with almost 20 years of experience and many technological advances, successfully develops end-to-end processes that ensure high-quality SDS compilation and translation.
Our goal is to provide our customers with safety data sheets that comply with all current/applicable regulations. The secret of an ideal safety data sheet is a high level of current knowledge, experience in the preparation of safety data sheets and control mechanisms used during the process. nine0003
For more information about the SDS process, see our article The SDS Compilation and Translation Process.
We assume all professional and financial responsibility for our company's safety data sheets and for all our other services.
Our financial guarantee covers direct and indirect damages.
Observations that arise from various authorities and applications from our Clients are studied within 24 hours. nine0003
We respond to inquiries sent via email or via the SDS Service Request menu on our website within 24 hours.
If you need help choosing the right service, please contact our customer service.
Our customer service places great emphasis on providing information with the required speed and quality. nine0003
We provide our clients with a dedicated Key Account Manager to ensure that the entire process is carried out flawlessly.
Interaction with the client does not end with the implementation of the ordered service. Our customer service is available to you even after the completion of the safety data sheet. We also assist our clients by answering professional and other questions.
Cosmetics are excluded from the scope of chemical safety legislation, but our experience and professional knowledge allow us to provide quality services in this area as well. nine0003
We offer our customers the appropriate services to solve all the problems of the responsible person or distributor related to the production or distribution of cosmetic products.
Our cosmetic services include CPNP portal notification required to market products, safety assessments, and cosmetic label drafting and translation.
Our mission is to provide information on chemical safety requirements.
The Safety Data Sheet Knowledge Base provides useful reference material to help you understand your Safety Data Sheet tasks or, for example, meet new CLP labeling obligations.
A collection of professional reference materials for understanding the specific requirements of the REACH Regulation can be found in the REACH Knowledge Base.
