Preparing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) – Part 4

The remaining SDS sections (9–16)

MSDS-Europe – Safety data sheet knowledge base – Preparing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) – Part 4: The remaining SDS sections (9–16)

In our previous article (Preparing SDS – Part 3), we detailed the first eight sections of the SDS, from identification to personal protection.

Now let’s continue with the rest of the document.
Sections 9–16 provide additional essential information on the product’s physical and chemical properties, stability, health and environmental effects, as well as instructions for disposal and information on applicable regulations.

Although these sections are perhaps less “action-oriented” than the first eight, they are just as important for the complete picture – especially for specialists (e.g. environmental managers, waste management personnel).

Let’s examine what each of SDS Sections 9–16 contains:

Section 9: Physical and chemical properties

Section 9 lists the key physical and chemical characteristics of the product. This includes, for example, the physical state (liquid, solid, gas), color, odor, density, pH value, boiling point, melting point, flash point (for flammable liquids), flammability, vapor pressure, solubility in water and other solvents, viscosity, decomposition temperature, etc.

All properties that may be relevant to safe handling should be provided here. For example, if a liquid evaporates easily and is flammable, then it will have a low flash point (listed here, e.g. “Flash point: 23 °C”). These data help in understanding how the substance behaves in the environment and in processes – for instance, in the example above one would know not to store that liquid in an open container above 23 °C.

If data for a particular property are missing, the SDS should indicate if that property is not known or not applicable.

Section 10: Stability and reactivity

Section 10 describes how stable the substance or mixture is and what conditions or materials could lead it to react dangerously.

It has two main parts: one addresses stability (for example: “Stable under normal conditions.” or “Avoid: freezing temperatures, direct sunlight.”), and the other covers reactivity/hazardous reactions (e.g. “May react violently with strong oxidizers, generating heat.”).

Here, the SDS lists conditions to avoid (heat, light, moisture, shock, etc., as relevant), incompatible materials (substances it must not contact, such as acids, bases, oxidizing agents), and hazardous decomposition products that might be produced during decomposition or combustion (e.g. toxic gases).

With this section, the user will know how to prevent the substance from undergoing spontaneous decomposition or a dangerous reaction during storage or use.

Section 11: Toxicological information

Section 11 outlines the effects of the substance or mixture on health. It summarizes the available toxicological information – covering both acute and chronic effects.

This includes, for example, the possible routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact) and the effects the product has via those routes. If specific experimental data are available, values like LD₅₀ (the dose that causes death in 50% of test animals), LC₅₀, results of irritation tests, sensitization (allergic effects), carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity (CMR properties), target organ toxicity, etc., can be provided.

Symptoms that may appear following exposure are also described (for example, headache, dizziness, skin redness). In the case of mixtures, the health effects are often estimated based on literature data or on the data of the individual components. If the product does not have any serious toxicological effects, that is stated here as well (e.g. “Acute toxicity: based on the component concentrations, the mixture is not classified as acutely toxic”).

This section is critical for occupational health professionals and physicians, because it helps them understand the risk the product poses to human health.

Section 12: Ecological information

Section 12 summarizes the product’s effects on the environment.

It presents ecotoxicological data, for example aquatic toxicity (LC₅₀/EC₅₀ values for fish, daphnia, algae), degradation characteristics (biodegradability), bioaccumulative potential, mobility in soil, and the PBT/vPvB assessment (whether it is Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic, or very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative).

Essentially, this section shows what happens to the chemical if it gets into the environment. For example: “Not readily biodegradable; highly toxic to aquatic life (LC₅₀ < 1 mg/L for fish).” If the product is harmful to the environment, users are warned here (e.g. do not allow it to enter soil or waterways).

If no data are available, or if the product is considered not harmful to the environment (e.g. readily biodegradable in water, not bioaccumulative), that is noted as well.

This section is important for environmental protection officers and waste management planners, because it helps in planning appropriate emission reduction measures.

Section 13: Disposal considerations

Section 13 provides guidance on handling the product (and its packaging) when it becomes waste.

It describes how to dispose of or destroy the product and its containers safely and in accordance with the law. It may include a specific waste code for the product (European Waste Catalogue code), and a recommendation as to whether it should be treated as hazardous waste. For example: “Collect any product remnants and contaminated packaging in accordance with regulations for hazardous waste. Do not pour into the sewer. Dispose of combustible residues in a licensed waste incinerator.”

Relevant local regulations can also be mentioned, or references to laws that apply (for instance, in Hungary the Act XLIII of 2008 on waste management).

This section ensures that the user, at the end of the product’s life cycle, handles disposal correctly and minimizes environmental pollution.

Section 14: Transport information

Section 14 summarizes how the substance/mixture is classified for transport under international transport regulations.

It lists the UN number (a four-digit identification number), the proper UN shipping name (e.g. “UN 1993 Flammable liquid, n.o.s.” – “not otherwise specified”), the transport hazard class (e.g. 3 – flammable liquid), the packing group (I, II, or III), and any special provisions or additional information. Separate entries can be given for ADR/RID (road/rail transport), IMDG (marine transport) and IATA (air transport) if there are differences between them.

If the product is not classified as dangerous goods for transport, that is also indicated here (for example: “Not classified as dangerous goods under ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA”).

This section is primarily useful for logistics personnel and shippers, because it helps them comply with the regulations for transporting dangerous goods (for example, using the proper hazard labels/placards and packaging).

Section 15: Regulatory information

Section 15 lists any other regulatory information or restrictions that apply to the product and have not been mentioned earlier.

For example, it can indicate if the substance is listed on any official regulatory lists (such as the REACH Candidate List of SVHC or the Annex XIV authorization list), whether the mixture contains any component subject to restrictions (REACH Annex XVII), or any special national rules (e.g. specific occupational health or environmental regulations).

This section is also where one would note if the product is subject to any special taxes, permits, or registrations. The relevant national legislation can be listed (for instance, applicable chemical safety regulations). Furthermore, this is where it can be stated whether a Chemical Safety Assessment (under REACH) has been carried out for the substance and if its results are available.

This section acts like a “legal summary” for the product – it helps companies ensure they have addressed all necessary legal obligations related to the product.

Section 16: Other information

In the final section, any information that did not fit into the previous sections, but is still useful or required, can be included.

Frequently, this is where abbreviations are explained (e.g. the meanings of PBT, LC50, etc.) and references or sources are provided (literature data, regulations on which the SDS was based). It may also include a disclaimer noting that the information in the SDS is, to the best of the supplier’s knowledge, accurate, but that it remains the user’s responsibility to follow applicable regulations for their specific use of the product.

Commonly, Section 16 will list the full text of all H statements referenced briefly in Section 3 of the SDS. Additionally, any other data relevant to safety can be added, for example: “Additional information from the manufacturer: For industrial use only. The product is not designed to be used in toys,” etc.

With this, we have reviewed all 16 sections of the safety data sheet. As we can see, an SDS covers practically all essential information about the product: it identifies what the product is, what hazardous substances it contains, what risks they pose, how to handle the product safely, what to do in case of fire or accident, and even how to transport or dispose of the product.

A well-compiled SDS therefore serves as a comprehensive manual for the safe handling of the product. It is crucial that this information be accurate and up-to-date.

(In the final part of this series, we will address some special cases and practical tips regarding SDSs – for example, what to do if a safety data sheet has annexes (exposure scenarios), how to avoid common mistakes when preparing SDSs, and how to use SDSs effectively in everyday work. We will also discuss what assistance is available to companies for managing SDSs.)

Further parts: