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At first glance, a safety data sheet looks like a document for specialists: many pages, technical terms, abbreviations, and legal references. However, in everyday work, it is not about memorizing every line. What matters is quickly finding the information that is truly relevant for the safe handling of a chemical.

This guide shows where you can find information on hazards, personal protective equipment, storage, first aid, reactivity, and disposal. You will also learn which sections you should check particularly carefully before starting work.

What is a safety data sheet?

The safety data sheet, abbreviated as SDS, contains central information about a chemical substance or mixture. In English, it is referred to as the Safety Data Sheet, abbreviated SDS.

It provides information on, among other things:

• the identity and composition of the product,
• possible health and environmental hazards,
• physical and chemical properties,
• necessary protective measures,
• safe handling and storage,
• First aid measures,
• Behavior in case of fires or unintentional release,
• Disposal and transport.

The structure and content of a safety data sheet are governed by the REACH regulation. In Germany, the Hazardous Substances Ordinance also refers to these requirements. Safety data sheets provided since January 1, 2023, must comply with the format of Regulation (EU) 2020/878.

However, a safety data sheet does not replace a workplace risk assessment. It provides the product-specific information on the basis of which suitable protective measures for the specific activity are determined.

Why is the safety data sheet important?

The product name alone is not sufficient to use a chemical safely. Two products with similar names can differ significantly - for example, in their concentration, purity, or composition.

As a result, the requirements for occupational safety may also vary.

The safety data sheet answers important questions:

• What hazards does the product pose?
• Should vapors, dust, or splashes be expected?
• Which gloves are suitable?
• Are safety goggles or a face shield required?
• May the product be stored next to acids, bases, or oxidizing agents?
• What should be done after skin or eye contact?
• How must spilled quantities be absorbed?

For employers, the safety data sheet is one of the information sources that must be considered in the risk assessment.

Therefore, the document should not be opened only after an incident. The most important information must be known before first use.

The 16 sections of the safety data sheet

A safety data sheet follows a defined structure of 16 sections. This means users always find certain information in the same place - regardless of the manufacturer or supplier.

Section 1: Identification of the substance or mixture and of the company

This section contains the basic product information:

• Product name and product identifier,
• intended uses,
• uses that are discouraged,
• Supplier information.
  

First check whether the safety data sheet actually belongs to the product being used. Pay particular attention to concentration, variant, and chemical name.

A safety data sheet for a diluted solution must not be automatically transferred to a concentrated substance.

Section 2: Possible hazards

Section 2 is one of the most important parts of the document.

Here you will find:

• the classification of the product,
• GHS hazard pictograms,
• the signal word 'Danger' or 'Warning',
• hazard statements, i.e., H-phrases,
• safety information, i.e., P-phrases,
• other possible hazards.

This section provides the quickest overview of the risks involved in handling the product.

Section 3: Composition and information on ingredients

For a single substance, this provides information about its chemical identity. For mixtures, the components relevant for classification are listed.

Typical information includes:

• chemical name,
• CAS number,
• EC number,
• Concentration or concentration range,
• Classification of individual components.

This section is especially important if a product does not consist of a single substance.

Section 4: First aid measures

This describes what to do after possible exposure.

The information is usually organized by four routes of exposure:

• Inhalation,
• Skin contact,
• Eye contact,
• Ingestion.

Additionally, typical symptoms and delayed effects can be listed.

Therefore, the safety data sheet should be stored so that employees and first aiders can quickly access it in an emergency.

Section 5: Firefighting measures

This section contains information on:

• suitable extinguishing agents,
• unsuitable extinguishing agents,
• special hazards in the event of a fire,
• hazardous combustion or decomposition products,
• necessary protective equipment for emergency responders.

Water is not the right extinguishing agent for every substance. Some chemicals react with water or release hazardous substances in the process.

Section 6: Measures in case of accidental release

What to do if a container leaks or a chemical spill occurs?

Section 6 describes:

• personal precautionary measures,
• necessary protective equipment,
• Environmental protection measures,
• Suitable collection methods,
• Cleaning instructions,
• Unsuitable methods or materials.

Before working with larger quantities, it should be checked whether suitable binders, collection containers, and protective agents are available.

Section 7: Handling and storage

Here are the conditions for safe handling and safe storage.

These include, for example:

• Requirements for ventilation,
• Advice on avoiding dust or aerosols,
• Protection from heat, light, or moisture,
• Suitable container materials,
• Storage temperatures,
• Prohibitions on combined storage,
• Incompatible substance groups.

Especially with reactive substances, the statement "store dry" is not sufficient. Equally important is the question, next to which chemicals the product must not be placed.

Section 8: Exposure controls and personal protective equipment

Section 8 contains specific information on the protection of users.

Possible information includes:

• Occupational exposure limits,
• Technical ventilation measures,
• Respiratory protection,
• Eye and face protection,
• Suitable protective gloves,
• Protective clothing,
• Environmental precautions.

When it comes to protective gloves, not only the material should be considered. Material thickness, breakthrough time, and contact duration also play a role.

A simple disposable glove does not automatically protect against every acid, base, or solvent.

Section 9: Physical and chemical properties

Here, the product is described based on its measurable properties.

These may include:

• Physical state,
• Color and odor,
• Melting and boiling point,
• Flammability,
• Flash point,
• pH value,
• Density,
• Solubility,
• Vapor pressure,
• Decomposition temperature.

This information helps assess the behavior of a substance when heated, diluted, processed, or stored.

Section 10: Stability and Reactivity

This section shows under which conditions hazardous reactions are possible.

The following should especially be checked:

• Chemical stability,
• Possibility of hazardous reactions,
• Conditions to avoid,
• Incompatible materials,
• Hazardous decomposition products.

Section 10 is especially important before different chemicals are mixed, processed together, or stored side by side.

The fact that two substances are individually stable does not mean they are compatible with each other.

Section 11: Toxicological information

Here, possible health effects are described.

These include, among others:

• Acute toxicity,
• Skin and eye irritation,
• Corrosivity,
• Sensitization,
• Germ cell mutagenicity,
• Carcinogenicity,
• Reproductive toxicity,
• Organ damage,
• Aspiration hazard.

It is important to distinguish between immediate complaints and possible long-term effects.

Not every harmful exposure causes immediately visible symptoms.

Section 12: Environmental information

This section contains information on possible effects on water, soil, and the environment.

These include:

• Toxicity to aquatic organisms,
• Degradability,
• Bioaccumulation potential,
• Mobility in soil,
• other environmental hazards.

Even small product quantities must not be automatically disposed of via sinks or sewer systems.

Section 13: Disposal considerations

Here you will find information on handling:

• product residues,
• contaminated materials,
• used binding agents,
• contaminated packaging.

Final disposal also depends on applicable local and operational regulations.

Chemical residues should not be mixed together without prior examination.

Section 14: Transport information

This section is particularly relevant for shipping, logistics, and internal transport.

Possible information includes:

• UN number,
• Proper shipping name,
• Transport hazard class,
• Packing group,
• Environmental hazards,
• special precautions.

A chemical may be manageable in normal use yet still be subject to special dangerous goods regulations during transport.

Section 15: Regulatory information

Here, product-specific regulations on safety, health, and environmental protection are mentioned.

The section may also contain information on whether a chemical safety assessment has been carried out.

Section 16: Other information

In the last section you will often find:

• Explanations of abbreviations,
• the full wording of certain H-statements,
• Literature and data sources,
• Training instructions,
• Information on changes compared to older versions.

After a revision of the safety data sheet, changes shall be marked in Section 16, unless they have already been specified elsewhere.

Hazard labeling: pictograms, H- and P-statements

The hazard labeling in Section 2 consists of several elements. They must be considered together.

GHS hazard pictograms

The diamond-shaped symbols show what type of hazard is generally present.

They can, for example, indicate the following properties:

• explosive,
• flammable,
• oxidizing,
• gas under pressure,
• corrosive,
• acutely toxic,
• irritating or harmful to health,
• long-term health hazard,
• hazardous to the environment.

A pictogram alone does not yet explain how severe the hazard is or under what conditions it occurs.

H-statements

H-statements describe the hazard.

For example, they inform whether a product:

• irritates skin or eyes,
• causes serious eye damage,
• is flammable,
• is toxic by inhalation,
• can damage organs,
• is hazardous to aquatic organisms.

P-statements

P-statements describe recommended precautionary measures.

They provide, among other things, information on:

• what protective equipment should be worn,
• how to store the product,
• what to do after contact,
• how to proceed in case of fire,
• how residues should be disposed of.

Simply put:

H-statements answer the question: What can happen?

P-statements answer the question: How can the risk be reduced?

Select personal protective equipment correctly

The safety data sheet says 'Wear protective gloves'. Does that mean any gloves are sufficient?

No.

The suitable personal protective equipment depends on several factors:

• concentration of the product,
• amount used,
• duration of contact,
• temperature,
• frequency of the activity,
• splash or aerosol formation,
• ventilation,
• chemical resistance of the material.

Section 8 provides product-specific information. However, the final selection must match the specific activity.

Weighing a few grams of a solid may require different measures than transferring a concentrated liquid from a large container.

The same applies to respiratory protection. A respirator does not replace adequate technical ventilation or exhaust.

Storing chemicals correctly

The most important storage information can be found in sections 7 and 10.

Before storage, you should check:

• Must the product be stored cool?
• Should it be protected from light or moisture?
• Must the container remain tightly sealed?
• Can dangerous vapors form?
• Which temperatures should be avoided?
• May the product be stored next to acids or alkalis?
• Is separate storage of oxidizing agents required?
• Are drip trays or safety cabinets necessary?

Chemicals should not be sorted solely by package size or available shelf space.

Their properties and possible reactions with each other are crucial.

Special attention is needed for, among others:

• acids and alkalis,
• oxidizing agents,
• flammable liquids,
• water-reactive substances,
• toxic substances,
• temperature-sensitive products.

Behavior in case of spill, fire, or contact

In an emergency, four sections are particularly important:

• Section 4: First aid measures,
• Section 5: Firefighting,
• Section 6: Accidental release,
• Section 13: Disposal of absorbed residues.

This information should be known before starting work.

Depending on the product, the following means may be required:

• eyewash bottle or eyewash station,
• chemical-resistant gloves,
• suitable binding agent,
• collection container,
• face shield,
• suitable extinguishing agent,
• clearly visible emergency information.

If a chemical is spilled, it should not be rinsed away with water without checking. Likewise, an unknown substance should not be neutralized with any cleaning agent.

The correct procedure depends on the information in the product-specific safety data sheet.

Typical mistakes when handling safety data sheets

Only check the pictograms

The symbols provide a quick overview. However, they do not show all necessary protective, storage and emergency measures.

Using an outdated safety data sheet

Check the issue or revision date and the version number.

A new classification, changed composition or amended legal requirements can make an update necessary.

Using the safety data sheet of a similar product

Similar product names do not automatically mean identical properties.

Concentration, purity and additives can change the classification and protective measures.

Adopting protective measures without verification

The safety data sheet describes the product. The actual risk also depends on the activity, quantity, temperature and exposure duration.

Only read the section on storage

For safe storage, section 7 and section 10 should be considered together.

Section 7 describes the storage conditions. Section 10 shows possible reactions and incompatible materials.

Only search for the document in an emergency

A safety data sheet only helps if it is quickly accessible.

Employees should know where it is filed and which sections they need in an emergency.

Checklist before starting work

Before using a chemical for the first time, check:

• Does the product name match the safety data sheet?
• Is the concentration or product variant correct?
• Is the safety data sheet current?
• What hazards does section 2 list?
• Which protective equipment is recommended in section 8?
• Which substances and conditions are to be avoided according to section 10?
• What storage conditions does section 7 specify?
• What first aid measures are listed in section 4?
• What should be done in case of spillage according to section 6?
• How must product residues be disposed of?
• Are suitable protective and emergency equipment available?
• Is the safety data sheet accessible to all affected persons?

A safety data sheet becomes much clearer once you stop trying to evaluate every page at the same time.

For practical work, sections 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10 are particularly relevant. There you will find the most important information on hazards, protective measures, storage, reactivity and behavior in an emergency.

At ChemMarkt.de you will find chemical reagents and technical raw materials for laboratory, industry and professional applications. Before each use, check the product-specific labeling and the corresponding safety data sheet.

Discover chemical reagents and technical raw materials at ChemMarkt.de.