MSDS is the common abbreviation for Material Safety Data Sheet. The document provides professional users of hazardous substances with information on the safe use and handling of a product.

The Safety Data Sheet contains information on the physical-chemical, toxicological and ecotoxicological characteristics of the substance that may be relevant to some health or environmental risk associated with normal use.

Hazardous materials are classified on the basis of these characteristics. The most harmful properties are designated with symbols also, while less dangerous characteristics are indicated by Risk phases (R-phases). Preventive measures are given by the Safety phases (S-phases).

Hazardous materials and substances are classified according to:

• physical-chemical characteristics (explosion hazard, flammability, oxidising characteristics),
• toxicological characteristics (acute and chronic or prolonged effects of the substance both with occasional or repeated or prolonged exposure)
• specific effects endangering human health (carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic effects),
• environmental effects (warms of ecological effects on the environment: short- and long-term effects on the water and other systems)

The format and content of Material Safety Data Sheets is regulated by specific legislation. Information in the MSDS must be accurate and consistent to help inform professional users of hazardous substances of necessary health and environmental safety measures in the work environment.

Information on the MSDS  must be concise and unambiguous.

The date of issue of the MSDS must appear on the first page. When the document is revised, users must be notified of the changes.

Format and content requirements for safety data sheets

1. Substance/product and manufacturer identification

1.1. Identification of the substance or product

1.2. Use of the Substance/Product:Indicate the intended or recommended uses of the substance or product as far as known. This should include a brief description of what the product actually does.

1.3. Manufacturer Identification:Identification of the person responsible for placing the substance or product on the market. The full address and telephone number of the manufacturer, importer or distributor is required.

1.4. Emergency Telephone: Company and/or relevant official advisory body responsible for supplying health and safety information.

2. Information on ingredients
The information given should enable the recipient to readily identify the hazardous components of the product.

2.1. The full EINECS name and number, the CAS-number and IUPAC name (if available) must be indicated. In addition, the hazard classification, letter symbols and relevant R-phrases must be given.

3. Hazard identification
Indicate clearly and concisely the hazards posed by the substance to humans and the environment. Distinguish clearly between products which are classified as dangerous and those which are not, according to the Directive 1999/45/EC. Describe the most important adverse physiochemical effects on human health and the environment, as well as possible symptoms associated with the use and misuse of the substance or product. Other hazards, not used in hazard classification, but that still contribute to the overall hazard associated with the substance or product may be mentioned as well..

4. First aid measures
Describe first-aid measures. Specify first whether immediate medical attention is required. The information on first aid must be brief and easy to understand by the victim, bystanders and first-aid givers. The symptoms and effects should be summarized briefly. Instructions should specify what immediate action should be taken in case of an accident and whether delayed effects can be expected after exposure.
Subdivide the information under subheadings according to routes of exposure (inhalation, skin or eye contact, ingestion). Indicate whether professional assistance by a doctor is needed or advisable.

5. Fire-fighting procedures
Indicate response requirements for fires caused by or arising in the vicinity of the substance or product by specifying:

• suitable extinguishing material,
• extinguishing material which must not be used for safety reasons,
• special exposure hazards arising from the substance or product itself, combustion products, and resulting gases,
• special protective equipment for fire-fighters.

6. Accidental spilling
Depending on the substance or product involved, information may be needed on:

• personal safety precautions
• environmental safety precautions
• clean-up procedure

7. Handling and storage
Information on protection of health, safety and the environment. It should assist the employer in devising suitable working procedures and organisational measures according to Article 5 of Directive 98/24/EC.

7.1. Handling
Specify precautions for safe handling including advice on technical interventions.

7.2. Storage
Specify the conditions for safe storage. Provide advice (if relevant) on limits on stored quantities. In particular, indicate any special requirements such as the type of material used in the packaging/containers of the substance or product.

7.3. Specific use(s)
For end products designed for specific use(s), recommendations should refer to intended use(s) and be detailed and operational. If possible, reference should be made to approved industrial or other guidelines.

8. Exposure controls and personal protection

8.1. Exposure limit values
Specify currently applicable specific control parameters including occupational exposure limits and/or biological limits. Values should be given for the Member State where the substance or product is in circulation. Provide information on currently recommended monitoring procedures.

8.2. Exposure control
Exposure controls refers to all protective and preventive measures implemented in order to reduce exposure. This requires appropriate work procedures and technical controls, the appropriate use of equipment and materials, the application of collective protective measures at the exposure source, and finally the use of individual protective measures, such as equipment for personal protection.
Where personal protection is needed, specify in detail which equipment will provide adequate and suitable protection.

• Respiratory protection
• Hand protection
• Eye protection
• Skin protection

Environmental exposure controls: specify information required by employers to fulfill commitments under European Community environmental protection legislation.

9. Physical and chemical properties
To allow the implementation of proper control measures, provide all relevant information on the substance or product, (e.g. physical state, colour, odour, boiling point, flammability, vapour pressure, relative density, solubility in water/fat, viscosity, pH, etc).

10. Stability and reactivity
State the stability of the substance or product and the possibility of dangerous reactions occurring under certain conditions of use and upon release in the environment.

• conditions to avoid
• materials to avoid
• hazardous decomposition products

11. Toxicological information
Provide concise but complete and comprehensible description of the various toxicological (health) effects which can arise on contact with the substance or product.
Include dangers to health from exposure based on experience, as well as on scientific experiments. Include information on the different routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact), and describe the symptoms related to the physical, chemical and toxicological properties of the substance.

12. Ecological information
Describe the possible effects, behaviour and environmental end-state of the substance or product in air, water and/or soil. Where available, give relevant test data (e.g. LC50 fish & lt;= 1 mg/l).

• ecotoxicity
• mobility
• persistence and degradability
• biooaccumulative potential
• other adverse effects

13. Disposal
If the disposal of the substance or products (surplus or waste resulting from regular use) presents a danger, a description of the waste products and information on their safe handling must be provided. Specify the appropriate methods of disposal of both the substance and any contaminated packaging (incineration, recycling, land filling, etc.)

14. Transport
Indicate any special precautions for transport or conveyance either within or outside the premises.
Where relevant, provide information on the transport classification for each of the modal regulations: IMDG (sea), ADR (road), RID (rail), ICAO/IATA (air). This may include:

• UN number,
• class,
• proper shipping name,
• packaging group,
• marine pollutant,
• other applicable information.

15. Regulatory details
Provide health, safety and environmental information shown on the label.

16. Other information
Indicate any other information which the supplier considers important for the health and safety of the user and for the protection of the environment.

• List the relevant R phrases.
• Instructions for proper use
• Recommended restrictions on use (i.e. non-statutory recommendations by supplier),
• Further information (written references and/or technical contacts),
• Sources of key data used to compile data sheet,
• For revised safety data sheets, indicate clearly information which has been added, deleted or revised (unless this has been indicated elsewhere).