Useful information sources and databases for SDS preparation

MSDS-Europe – Safety Data Sheet Knowledge Base – Useful information sources and databases for preparing safety data sheets

 

Target audience: safety data sheet (SDS) authors, importers, manufacturers, downstream users

Summary: the following verified authority/intergovernmental sources reliably support the collection, verification and updating of the data required for the 16 sections of the SDS.

 

Introduction – where should the data come from?

The majority of the information required for a safety data sheet should already be available from the supplier. Companies collect these data when complying with legislation governing the control of chemicals – in particular the CLP Regulation (classification, labelling, packaging) as well as transport and occupational health and safety requirements.

  • In the case of REACH registration, manufacturers/importers can also access additional data via joint submission/consortia.
  • Downstream users and formulators of mixtures have, as their primary information source, the SDS supplied by their supplier for the substance/component concerned.

If, when compiling the SDS, some data are missing or the information coming from the supply chain appears to be contradictory, it is worth checking publicly available authority or international databases. The most important ones are listed below.

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Available databases and how they support the SDS

ECHA – Registered substances database

https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/registered-substances

What can you find here? Information from REACH dossiers: hazard properties, use, risk management, physico-chemical, tox/ecotox data.

SDS sections: 2, 3, 7–9, 11–13, 15.

 

ECHA – Classification and Labelling (C&L) Inventory

https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database

What can you find here? Notified/registered classifications + harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI).

SDS sections: 2, 3, 15.

Note: where a harmonised classification exists, this is the one that applies.

 

eChemPortal (OECD) – multiple databases in a single search

https://www.echemportal.org/echemportal/

What can you find here? Simultaneous search of authority and evaluated data (physico-chemical, tox, ecotox, environmental fate).

SDS sections: 7–9, 11–12.

 

IPCS INCHEM (WHO/ILO/UNEP) – internationally reviewed summaries

http://www.inchem.org/

What can you find here? Monographs and cards (EHC, CICAD, ICSC) on the health and environmental risks of chemicals.

SDS sections: 4–6, 11–12, 15.

ICSC collection: https://www.inchem.org/pages/icsc.html

 

Endocrine disruptors (ECHA)

https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/endocrine-disruptors

What can you find here? Overview, identification criteria, regulatory status.

SDS sections: 2, 11–12, 15.

 

National information services (Helpdesks)

https://echa.europa.eu/support/helpdesks

What is it useful for? Mother-tongue support in REACH/CLP/BPR matters, knowledge of local requirements.

SDS sections: 1, 15.

Poison Centres – appointed bodies: https://poisoncentres.echa.europa.eu/appointed-bodies

 

If I find several conflicting notifications in the C&L Inventory, which one should I use as a basis?
First, you must check whether a harmonised classification exists (CLP Annex VI) – this is mandatory. If not, you must justify your “own” classification by weighing the quality and source of the notifications and the data in the ECHA dossiers; all of this must also be documented in section 16 of the SDS.

Are (Q)SAR or read-across data acceptable in the SDS?
Yes, based on the OECD QSAR Toolbox or a similar validated method, but always indicate the name/version of the model, the applicability domain and the uncertainty of the data.

Where can I find official occupational exposure limit values (OEL)?
At EU level in the IOELV/BOELV directives (EUR-Lex), and at national level in national lists (e.g. TRGS, NIOSH/OSHA, Safe Work Australia). Always indicate the country and the date.

Which legal acts should I base the transport classification (section 14) on?
The UN Model Regulations and, for each mode of transport, the official provisions of ADR/RID/ADN/IMDG are decisive. From these you can derive the UN number, class, packing group and the indication of environmental hazard.

What should I do if the data in the supplier’s SDS differ from publicly available authority data?
Carry out a comparison (table by source), and request clarification from the supplier. Record the justification of the final decision and the dates of the references in section 16 of the SDS.

 

Additional official authority/intergovernmental sources

EU / UN level

CLP harmonised classifications – CLP Annex VI (EUR-Lex)

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1272/oj

SDS: 2, 3, 15.

EU occupational exposure limits (IOELV/BOELV)

Example – 5th IOELV list: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019L1831

SDS: 8.

WHO / ILO / OECD

IARC Monographs (WHO/IARC) – https://monographs.iarc.who.int/

SDS: 11, 15.

OECD QSAR Toolbox – https://www.qsartoolbox.org/

SDS: 11–12 (always indicate when the data are derived from modelling).

 

National authority databases

Note: requirements and values may differ by country; always indicate the source country and the date of retrieval in section 16 of the SDS.

USA – EPA CompTox Dashboard – https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/

SDS: 3, 9, 12, 15.

USA – EPA IRIS – https://www.epa.gov/iris

SDS: 11, 15.

USA – NIOSH Pocket Guide – https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/

SDS: 8, 4–6.

USA – OSHA PEL (Table Z-1) – https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1000TABLEZ1

SDS: 8.

USA – NTP Report on Carcinogens – https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/cancer/roc

SDS: 11, 15.

United Kingdom – HSE GB MCL List – https://www.hse.gov.uk/chemical-classification/classification/mcl-list.htm

SDS: 2, 15.

Germany – BAuA TRGS (AGW) – https://www.baua.de/EN/Service/Technical-rules/TRGS/TRGS

SDS: 8.

Australia – Safe Work Australia: HCIS – https://hcis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/

SDS: 2, 8.

Japan – NITE CHRIP / GHS – https://www.nite.go.jp/index.html

SDS: 2, 11–12, 15.

Canada – Domestic Substances List (DSL)

Overview page: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/canadian-environmental-protection-act-registry/substances-list/domestic.html

SDS: 15.

EU Pesticides Database (DG SANTE) – https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database_en

SDS: 15 (where relevant for plant protection products and biocides).

 

What should we watch out for? – Typical pitfalls

  • Inconsistent C&L notifications → you must justify the chosen classification.
  • Outdated data → always check the date of the latest update.
  • Incorrect identity → data for salts/hydrates/isomers cannot automatically be transferred.
  • Mixtures → differences between the supplier’s SDS and your own CLP calculation must be documented.
  • National differences → emergency telephone numbers, OELs and waste legislation vary by country.

 

Practical workflow for preparing SDSs

  • Identification and clarification: CAS and EC numbers, synonyms of substance names; relevant concentration ranges for mixtures.
  • Determining the classification: CLP Annex VI → if no harmonised entry exists, then C&L Inventory + ECHA dossiers + literature.
  • Properties and effect data: comparison of physico-chemical/ecotox/tox data from eChemPortal, ECHA and INCHEM sources.
  • Labelling elements and P-statements: derived from the classification, with clear justification.
  • Risk management and exposure control: ECHA dossiers, exposure scenarios; national limit values (where available).
  • References and version control: in section 16 of the SDS list the databases used, the access date and the version.

Safety data sheet (SDS) preparation: Introduction and legal background, Responsibilities and the SDS compilation process, The first 8 sections of the SDS in detail, The remaining SDS sections (9–16), Special cases and good practices

 

Final remark

The above sources provide verified and publicly available information, but the SDS author is responsible for the consistent and legally compliant finalisation of the document. If you wish, the ToxInfo team can help you with the professional interpretation of the sources and with preparing SDSs, including in multiple languages.

 

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