A safety data sheet (SDS) follows a standardized 16-section format required by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. Of those 16 sections, 12 are mandatory (sections 1 through 11 and section 16), while sections 12 through 15 may be included but are not required by OSHA. Each section covers a specific category of information about a hazardous chemical, from basic identification to toxicology to storage instructions.
The 16-Section Format at a Glance
Every SDS in the United States must follow the same structure, aligned with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA updated its standard in May 2024 to align with Revision 7 of the GHS, with compliance deadlines of 18 months for substances and 36 months for mixtures after the rule’s effective date of July 19, 2024.
The mandatory sections are:
- Section 1: Identification
- Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification
- Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients
- Section 4: First-Aid Measures
- Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures
- Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
- Section 7: Handling and Storage
- Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
- Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
- Section 10: Stability and Reactivity
- Section 11: Toxicological Information
- Section 16: Other Information
The four non-mandatory sections (12 through 15) cover ecological information, disposal considerations, transport information, and regulatory information. These fall under the authority of other federal agencies like the EPA and DOT, which is why OSHA doesn’t enforce them. Most manufacturers include them anyway because they’re required in other countries or by other regulations.
Section 1: Identification
This section names the chemical product, lists the manufacturer or importer’s contact details (including an emergency phone number), and states the product’s recommended uses. If you’re looking at an SDS and trying to confirm you have the right document for the right chemical, this is where you start.
Section 2: Hazard Identification
Section 2 is one of the most critical parts of the document. It includes the GHS hazard classification for the chemical, the signal word (“Danger” for more severe hazards, “Warning” for less severe), pictograms, hazard statements describing the nature of the hazard, and precautionary statements explaining how to avoid exposure or what to do if exposure occurs. If a chemical is not classified as hazardous, that must be stated here as well.
Section 3: Composition and Ingredients
For a single substance, this section lists the chemical name, common synonyms, and the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number. For mixtures, all ingredients classified as health hazards must be listed if they are present at or above their cut-off concentration limits, or if they present a health risk even below those limits. This requirement applies regardless of how the mixture’s hazard classification was determined, whether through testing of the complete mixture or through calculation.
Manufacturers can withhold specific chemical identities as trade secrets, but they must still disclose the hazardous properties and provide the information to health professionals in emergencies.
Sections 4 Through 6: Emergency Response
These three sections cover what to do when something goes wrong. Section 4 describes first-aid measures, organized by route of exposure (inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion), and notes symptoms that may appear immediately or with a delay. Section 5 addresses fire-fighting, including suitable and unsuitable extinguishing media and any hazardous combustion products. Section 6 covers accidental release, such as spill cleanup procedures, containment methods, and personal precautions to take during cleanup.
Section 7: Handling and Storage
This section tells you how to safely work with the chemical day to day. It covers precautions for safe handling, conditions for safe storage (temperature limits, incompatible materials to keep it away from), and any specific requirements like keeping the container tightly closed or storing it in a ventilated area.
Section 8: Exposure Controls and Protective Equipment
Section 8 lists occupational exposure limits, specifically the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), the ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV), and any other exposure limit recommended by the manufacturer. It also specifies the personal protective equipment needed: the type of gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection, and any other protective clothing required for safe handling. If engineering controls like ventilation are recommended, those appear here too.
Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
This section contains a standardized list of measurable characteristics. The minimum required properties include:
- Appearance: physical state, color
- Odor and odor threshold
- pH
- Melting point/freezing point
- Boiling point and boiling range
- Flash point
- Evaporation rate
- Flammability
- Upper and lower flammability or explosive limits
- Vapor pressure and vapor density
- Relative density
- Solubility
- Auto-ignition temperature
- Decomposition temperature
- Viscosity
When data for a specific property isn’t available or isn’t relevant to the chemical, the SDS must note that explicitly rather than simply leaving it blank.
Sections 10 and 11: Stability and Toxicology
Section 10 describes the chemical’s stability under normal conditions, conditions to avoid (heat, light, static discharge), incompatible materials it could react with, and any hazardous decomposition products. Section 11 covers toxicological information: the likely routes of exposure, symptoms associated with short-term and long-term exposure, and numerical toxicity data. This is where you’ll find information about whether a substance is a carcinogen, causes reproductive harm, or targets specific organs.
Sections 12 Through 15: Non-Mandatory but Common
While OSHA does not require these sections, they still appear on nearly every SDS because the 16-section format is an international standard. Section 12 covers ecological information like toxicity to fish and other aquatic life. Section 13 addresses disposal, including recommended waste treatment methods. Section 14 lists transport classifications such as the UN identification number and hazard class for shipping. Section 15 covers regulatory information from other federal, state, or international laws that apply to the chemical.
Even though OSHA can’t enforce the content of these sections, other agencies can. If you’re shipping a hazardous material, for example, the Department of Transportation requires the transport data regardless of OSHA’s rules.
Section 16 and General Requirements
Section 16 is a catch-all for any additional information, including the date the SDS was prepared or last revised. This date matters because an outdated SDS may not reflect current hazard classifications or exposure limits.
All SDS documents must be in English, though employers can add translations in other languages for workers who need them. Employers are required to keep SDSs readily accessible to employees during their work shifts, whether that’s a physical binder near the work area or an electronic system workers can access quickly.