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Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

The safety data sheet (SDS) is indispensable if you want your customers and consumers to have safe and healthy handling of the products you supply. A SDS contains all the information needed to handle your product safely. A correct SDS is therefore your passport to trading your product in the EU.

The importance of a correct SDS.

  • Hazard information: the MSDS contains the hazard classification of the substance or mixture according to the European CLP regulation and informs you about the hazardous properties of the product. Based on this information, you can determine what the further legal obligations are.
  • Correct labeling: the SDS tells you which hazard pictograms and warning texts apply and helps you label your product correctly.
  • Poison center notifications: the SDS contains information you need to notify your dangerous products to the poison center of the countries of sale. When notifying products in the European Poison Centres Notification (PCNP), this becomes even more important!
  • Transport and storage information: the SDS contains important information about the safe transport and storage of the substance or mixture and ensures safe handling throughout the supply chain.
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What can we help our clients with?

Précon has worked for many years as a quality consultant for major international parties. Our consultants review existing SDSs for our clients, advising on necessary modifications, and we also support our clients in designing labels that comply with European regulations.

Our consultants will be happy to assist you in assessing your SDS. If necessary, we will provide further advice on any follow-up steps to achieve a legally correct SDS.

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What is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

A safety data sheet (SDS) contains all kinds of important information about the hazardous properties of your substance or mixture. From the chemical composition and associated hazards, to the requirements for proper labeling of your product. The MSDS is necessary to handle your product safely. It also contains information on protective equipment, transport and disposal. A correct SDS is your passport to trading this product in the EU.

Also required for consumer products
It is often assumed that a SDS is only required for companies that produce chemicals that are potentially hazardous. This is not so! A scented candle, air freshener or detergent are examples of articles for which you must also comply with SDS. A SDS should always be written in the language of your customer's country. Do you supply to the entire EU? Then your SDS must be available in 24 languages.

Practice shows that supplier SDSs are often old or of poor quality. They do not contain all relevant ingredients, the labeling requirements are incorrect, or the SDS was not prepared according to applicable requirements.

Our approach.

Précon has worked for many years as a quality consultant for major international parties. Our consultants review existing SDSs for our clients, advising on necessary modifications, and we also support our clients in designing labels that comply with European regulations.

Related trainings.

Frequently asked questions.

When do I need a safety data sheet (SDS)?

As a supplier or importer of a chemical substance or mixture, you should have an SDS in your possession at least in the following situations:

  • Your substance is classified in one or more hazard categories according to the CLP regulation;
  • Your mixture is classified in one or more hazard categories according to the CLP regulation;
  • Your substance is classified as "persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT)" or "very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB)" according to REACH Annex XIII;
  • Your substance is on the candidate list of substances of very high concern.

In these situations, you are required to have a SDS. For specific products, providing a SDS is not mandatory, such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Do you sell a mixture to customers that is not classified as hazardous according to the CLP regulation? Then you are still required to provide a SDS at their request in the following cases:

  • Your mixture contains one or more constituents in an individual concentration of ≥ 1% by weight (non-gaseous mixtures) or ≥ 0.2% by volume (gaseous mixtures) that have a hazardous effect on health or the environment;
  • Your mixture contains one or more constituents in an individual concentration of ≥ 0.1% by weight (non-gaseous mixtures) that are "persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic" (PBT), or "very persistent and very bioaccumulative" (vPvB) according to REACH Annex XIII;
  • Your mixture contains one or more constituents in an individual concentration of ≥ 0.1% by weight (non-gaseous mixtures) that are included in the candidate list of substances of very high concern;
  • Your chemical substance or mixture contains one or more constituents for which occupational exposure limits have been set in Europe.
Is it sufficient to make my SDS available in English?
No. According to Article 31(5) of REACH, the SDS must be provided in an official language of the member state where the substance is marketed. So, in which languages you must have the SDS in YOUR possession depends on the countries where you want to sell your product.
Who is responsible for preparing the SDS? My supplier or me?

According to the REACH regulation, "the supplier of a substance or mixture" is responsible for providing an SDS. This means the first European link in the chain. In practice, therefore, this is the European manufacturer of a substance or the importer of a substance or mixture.

If you produce a substance within Europe or import a substance or mixture, you are therefore responsible for preparing (or having prepared) a correct SDS in the correct language.

How do I know if my SDS was prepared according to the rules?

Annex II of the European REACH Regulation (EC No. 1907/2006) describes the requirements your SDS must meet. Our consultants are ready to advise you.

Our successful collaborations.

Our consultants are always looking for the best solutions for our clients. Read how we do that in several customer case studies.

Need help with safe & fair products?

Our professionals will be happy to help you!

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