Liquids, powders, flammable materials, batteries, and other products generally require an MSDS or SDS.

The main purpose of needing an MSDS or SDS is to handle and respond to accidents that may occur during transportation based on the information provided in the MSDS or SDS.

U.S. SDS standards: OSHA, etc.; EU SDS standards are based on REACH regulations and CLP regulations.

An SDS is a comprehensive document that includes information on chemical composition, physicochemical parameters, flammability and explosive properties, toxicity, environmental hazards, safe usage methods, storage conditions, emergency leak handling, and transportation regulatory requirements. It is also one of the primary means of communicating chemical information under regulatory frameworks worldwide. For chemicals produced within the EU or exported to the EU from other regions, if they meet the requirements of Article 31 of the EU REACH Regulation, they must be classified according to the EU Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, and an SDS must be prepared in accordance with the format specified in Annex II of the REACH Regulation. The completed SDS must include all 16 sections.

These 16 sections can be divided into four parts:

Part One: In an emergency, what is the substance and what are its hazards?

Includes: Section 1 Chemical Identification and Company Information; Section 2 Hazards Identification; Section 3 Composition/Information on Ingredients.

Part Two: If a hazardous situation has already occurred, what should we do?

Includes: Section 4 First-Aid Measures; Section 5 Fire-Fighting Measures; Section 6 Accidental Release Measures.

Part Three: How to prevent and control the occurrence of hazards?

Includes: Section 7 Handling and Storage; Section 8 Exposure Controls/Personal Protection; Section 9 Physical and Chemical Properties; Section 10 Stability and Reactivity.

Part Four: Other essential information regarding the safety of hazardous chemicals.

Includes: Section 11 Toxicological Information; Section 12 Ecological Information; Section 13 Disposal Considerations; Section 14 Transport Information; Section 15 Regulatory Information; Section 16 Other Information.