What Does a Safety Data Sheet Contain? 16 Sections and Subsections According to REACH – A Short Guide for Businesses
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a mandatory document for any company placing chemical substances or mixtures on the market in the European Union. Its structure and content are strictly defined in the REACH Regulation, and each SDS must consist of 16 structured sections with detailed subsections.
At SDS Create, we specialize in drafting and updating Safety Data Sheets in compliance with REACH and CLP, supporting manufacturers, importers, distributors, and downstream users. Below is a complete breakdown of what an SDS must contain:
Section 1: Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking
1.1. Product identifier
1.2. Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against
1.3. Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet
1.4. Emergency telephone number
✅ This section provides quick identification of the product and emergency contact information.
Section 2: Hazards identification
2.1. Classification of the substance or mixture
2.2. Label elements
2.3. Other hazards
✅ Contains hazard pictograms, H/P phrases and information about PBT/vPvB substances.
Section 3: Composition/information on ingredients
3.1. Substances
3.2. Mixtures
✅ Lists hazardous components – essential for classification and risk assessment.
Section 4: First aid measures
4.1. Description of first aid measures
4.2. Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
4.3. Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
✅ Guides emergency responders and supports workplace safety training.
Section 5: Firefighting measures
5.1. Extinguishing media
5.2. Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
5.3. Advice for firefighters
✅ Provides data for fire risk assessment and emergency response planning.
Section 6: Accidental release measures
6.1. Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
6.2. Environmental precautions
6.3. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
6.4. Reference to other sections
✅ Essential for spill response procedures and environmental protection.
Section 7: Handling and storage
7.1. Precautions for safe handling
7.2. Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
7.3. Specific end use(s)
✅ Ensures proper chemical handling and compliance with storage requirements.
Section 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
8.1. Control parameters
8.2. Exposure controls
✅ Helps in selecting the right PPE and protecting worker health.
Section 9: Physical and chemical properties
9.1. Information on basic physical and chemical properties
9.2. Other information
✅ Supports safe usage, storage, and compatibility with production processes.
Section 10: Stability and reactivity
10.1. Reactivity
10.2. Chemical stability
10.3. Possibility of hazardous reactions
10.4. Conditions to avoid
10.5. Incompatible materials
10.6. Hazardous decomposition products
✅ Provides insight into chemical behavior under various conditions.
Section 11: Toxicological information
11.1. Information on hazard classes as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
11.2. Information on other hazards
✅ Key section for occupational risk assessment.
Section 12: Ecological information
12.1. Toxicity
12.2. Persistence and degradability
12.3. Bioaccumulative potential
12.4. Mobility in soil
12.5. Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
12.6. Endocrine disrupting properties
12.7. Other adverse effects
✅ Important for environmental compliance and waste management planning.
Section 13: Disposal considerations
13.1. Waste treatment methods
✅ Provides guidance on classification and proper disposal of chemical waste.
Section 14: Transport information
14.1. UN number or ID number
14.2. UN proper shipping name
14.3. Transport hazard class(es)
14.4. Packing group
14.5. Environmental hazards
14.6. Special precautions for user
14.7. Maritime transport in bulk according to IMO instruments
✅ Ensures correct transport documentation and labelling across ADR/IMDG/IATA.
Section 15: Regulatory information
15.1. Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
15.2. Chemical safety assessment
✅ Refers to legal obligations such as REACH registration or use restrictions.
Section 16: Other information
Includes:
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Date of SDS preparation or revision
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Source of data
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Abbreviations and acronyms
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Full text of H and P phrases
✅ Supports transparency and traceability of the document’s content.
Need a Compliant Safety Data Sheet? Let SDS Create Do It for You
At SDS Create, we offer professional authoring and updating of SDSs tailored to your product and market. Whether you're a manufacturer, importer, or downstream user, we ensure full compliance with REACH and CLP.
Our services include:
✅ Creating SDS from scratch
✅ Updating SDS to meet Regulation 2020/878/EU
✅ Multi-language SDS versions for EU & UK markets
✅ Documentation audits for downstream users
✅ Fast turnaround and expert support
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