Chemical manufacturers are required to provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to anyone who purchases or uses their chemicals for work purposes. This SDS must be supplied with the initial shipment of hazardous chemicals and updated whenever new hazard information becomes available. The SDS provides detailed information about the chemical's hazards, safe handling, storage, emergency measures, and risk management to ensure workplace safety. Key requirements for manufacturers include:
- Preparing an SDS as soon as possible after manufacturing or importing a hazardous chemical.
- Reviewing and updating each SDS at least every five years or when new hazard information arises.
- Providing the SDS free of charge and in documented form upon request.
- Including specific information in the SDS such as identification of the chemical, hazard identification, composition, first aid measures, firefighting measures, accidental release measures, handling and storage instructions, exposure controls, physical and chemical properties, toxicological and ecological information, disposal considerations, transport information, regulatory information, and other relevant data
Manufacturers must ensure the SDS is clear, accurate, and compliant with regulations such as REACH in Europe, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard in the US, and similar frameworks elsewhere. The SDS must be accessible to employers and workers to facilitate risk assessment and safe use of chemicals in the workplace
. In summary, chemical manufacturers are legally obligated to provide comprehensive, up-to-date Safety Data Sheets to purchasers or users of their chemicals for work purposes to promote safe handling and use.
