The SDS of America
Over the years, the MSDS is the core of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). On March 26, 2012, the OSHA revised the HCS base on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). And it stipulates more than three years of the transition. It wins the precious time for the transition from the old regulation to the new regulation. ( Note: The OSHA changed the old HCS into HazCom 1994 and the new HCS was named as HazCom 2012.)
According to the relevant stipulations of MSDS in HazCom 1994, the type of American MSDS is various. The most common format is the MSDS (8 sections) stipulated by OSHA and the MSDS (16 sections) made according to ANSI standard. In HazCom 2012, the OSHA adopts the format unified by the GHS. It stipulates that an MSDS should include 16 sections and operate according to the strict order.
After the implementation of GHS, an MSDS has another important change. It is renamed as SDS. However, the elimination of M causes a lot of problems. In fact, SDS is the MSDS. They are same, especially the role they play in the HCS. To be exact, the format of SDS which is stipulated by the GHS is almost as same as the content of the ANSI which stipulates an MSDS contains 16 sections. There is only a little modification between them.
Classification:
The HSC is base on the third revision of GHS. The following classifications are not adopted in America:
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Hazard class
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Hazard category
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Code
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Physical hazard statements
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Acute toxicity
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（oral）category 5
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H303
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May be harmful if swallowed
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（dermal）category 5
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H313
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May be harmful in contact with skin
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（inhalation）category 5
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H333
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May be harmful if inhaled
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Dermal corrosion/irritation
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category 3
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H316
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Causes mild skin irritation
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Inhalation risk
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category 3
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H305
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May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways
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Hazardous to the aquatic environment
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Non-obligatory
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Hazardous to the ozone layer
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Non-obligatory
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Label:
1. On the label, each dangerous chemical should be included in the product marking which are used in the SDS.
2. On the label, it should show the name, address and phone number of the chemical manufacturers, importers, or other responsible parties.
3. On the label, it should include the signal words, hazard statements, pictograms and precautionary statements of the chemicals which are classified.
Making an SDS:
For sections 1-11 and 16, if no relevant information is found for any given subheading within a section, the SDS shall clearly indicate that no applicable information is available. Sections 12-15 may be included in the SDS, but are not mandatory.