Ruqayyah Snyder
In Australia, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) were renamed to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in 2012 when the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) branch aligned with the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS was introduced to standardize the classification and labelling of chemicals across the world, with Australia adopting it in 2012 and the UN making it mandatory in 2017. SDS are now used to provide information about substances and their associated hazards, with manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals being responsible for preparing, reviewing, and updating them every 5 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous Name | Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) |
| New Name | Safety Data Sheet (SDS) |
| Reason for Name Change | Introduction of the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) |
| GHS Introduction | 2012 |
| GHS Mandatory Status | Mandatory internally since 2017 |
| GHS Adoption in Australia | Introduced in 2012 |
| Regulatory Body in Australia | Safe Work Australia |
| Frequency of Updates | Every 5 years or more frequently if required |
| Accessibility | Must be provided in paper or electronic format upon request |
| Approval | Not required by a Safety Regulator |
| Contents | Hazard and precautionary statements, version history, and definitions |
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What You'll Learn
The name change from MSDS to SDS
In Australia, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) were renamed to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in 2012. This change was made to align with the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), which was introduced in 1992 at the Rio Conference on Environment and Development.
The GHS is a global standard for hazard classification and labelling, and it became mandatory in 2017. Australia adopted the GHS in 2012, which led to the name change from MSDS to SDS. This change was made to standardise the MSDS process and ensure consistency across regions, as the GHS is also used in the European Union.
The format of the reports was also regulated as part of this change. The new SDS reports were required to follow a standardised, user-friendly 16-section format. Companies were given approximately three years to transition from MSDS to SDS.
SDS provide important information about substances and the hazards associated with them. They are particularly relevant for hazardous chemicals, and manufacturers and importers of these chemicals must prepare an SDS in accordance with the model Code of Practice for the Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals. SDS must also be reviewed and updated at least once every five years, and they must be provided to anyone likely to be affected by the chemical or anyone who requests a copy.
In Australia, it is a legal obligation for employers to provide information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure their employees can work safely and are not exposed to hazards. This includes making SDS available in hard copies for any hazardous chemicals on site.
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Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally agreed-upon standard managed by the United Nations. The GHS was set up to replace the various hazardous material classification and labelling schemes previously used across the globe. The GHS encompasses standardized hazard testing criteria, universal warning pictograms, and safety data sheets (SDS) that offer pertinent information on dangerous goods with consistent organization.
The GHS was initiated at the 1992 Rio Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, by the United Nations. At this conference, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), various governments, and other stakeholders concurred on the need for a global hazard classification and compatible labelling system, with a target date of 2000 for its availability. The GHS was formally adopted by the United Nations in 2003, and after a decade of work, it became mandatory in 2017.
The GHS includes criteria for classifying health, physical, and environmental hazards, as well as specifying the information that must be included on labels of hazardous chemicals and SDSs. The standardized label elements of the GHS comprise symbols, or hazard pictograms, that convey health, physical, and environmental hazard information, and are assigned to a GHS hazard class and category. Pictograms may include harmonized hazard symbols and other graphic elements, such as borders and backgrounds. Additionally, GHS labels must include the chemical identity of the substance, with certain mixtures requiring the disclosure of all ingredients that contribute to acute toxicity, skin corrosion, serious eye damage, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and skin or respiratory sensitization, among others.
The implementation of the GHS varies across countries. For instance, Australia introduced the GHS in 2012, and while it is not mandatory for SDSs to be approved by a Safety Regulator, they must be made available in hard copies for all hazardous chemicals on-site. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has taken steps to align its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with the GHS, with a proposed rulemaking published in 2009. The European Union has implemented the GHS into its law as the CLP Regulation, while Canada incorporated the GHS into its WHMIS in 2015, with updates in 2023 to align with the 7th and 8th revised editions of the GHS.
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Hazard and precautionary statements
In Australia, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) changed to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) following the introduction of the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS was agreed upon at the 1992 Rio Conference on Environment and Development, and after a decade of work, it was released and became mandatory in 2017. Australia introduced the GHS in 2012.
On the other hand, precautionary statements outline the recommended measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects from exposure, improper storage, or handling of hazardous chemicals. These statements cover prevention, response, storage, and disposal. For instance, a precautionary statement for a toxic substance might include instructions such as "Store in a well-ventilated area" or "Keep away from open flames."
The GHS precautionary statements are designed to provide clear and consistent guidance on how to safely handle and store chemicals. They replace the 'risk' and 'safety' phrases that were previously required by law. It is important to note that manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals must prepare and review their SDS every five years, ensuring that the information is up-to-date and accurate.
The SDS for hazardous chemicals does not require approval by a Safety Regulator. However, it is the responsibility of manufacturers and importers to provide the SDS to anyone likely to be affected by the chemical or to anyone who requests a copy. This ensures that employees and users are informed and can take the necessary precautions to handle and store the chemicals safely.
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Regulatory requirements
In Australia, the use of MSDS and SDS is governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (OHS Act) and the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations. The OHS Act mandates that employers must provide information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure employees can work safely and are not exposed to hazards.
SDSs are now the standardized version of the previously used MSDS. The name change from MSDS to SDS occurred in 2012 when Australia, along with the rest of the world, adopted the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS was established to create a global standard for hazard classification and labelling, with the GHS system already in use across the European Union. This change was made to standardize and align with international practices, providing consistency across regions.
The GHS introduced a user-friendly 16-section format for SDSs, with specific information presented in a standardized order and under specific headlines. The SDS must disclose all hazardous substances, as defined by the criteria in Part 3 (Health Hazards) of the GHS. However, certain exemptions apply, as outlined in the Regulations.
Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals are responsible for preparing and reviewing SDSs at least once every five years, updating them based on changed safety information, chemical classification, and new precautionary statements. They must also provide SDSs to anyone likely to be affected by the chemical or anyone who requests a copy. For general businesses, employers must ensure that SDSs are available in hard copies for all hazardous chemicals on-site.
While SDSs do not need approval from a Safety Regulator, regulators can request to review SDSs to ensure compliance with WHS laws. It is the employer's responsibility to obtain an accurate and complete SDS if the current one is not up to date.
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SDS management systems
In Australia, SDS is short for Safety Data Sheet, which was previously known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The name change occurred following the introduction of the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
A digital SDS management system is superior to traditional paper-based systems in several ways. Firstly, it is far more efficient and safe in emergencies, as workers can access the information they need in seconds on their laptops or phones. Secondly, it is much easier to update digital SDS records when new scientific data or regulatory changes occur, as opposed to the labor-intensive process of altering paper-based records.
There are several SDS management software options available, such as SDS Manager, which offers a user-friendly interface and powerful search functionality. Chemical Safety also offers an online SDS management system that is easy to use, maintain, and deploy. This system allows users to create an online library of safety data sheets, with current revision dates from major manufacturers. Additionally, Chemical Safety provides free online access to a database of supplier-specific SDSs.
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Frequently asked questions
SDS stands for Safety Data Sheet. It provides information about substances and the hazards associated with those substances.
MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet.
In 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) branch aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) to rename and standardise the MSDS process.
An SDS is the new name of an MSDS, with the name change occurring following the introduction of the UN’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
Yes, in addition to the name change, the format of the reports was also regulated. Layout regulations for the new SDS included a standardised, user-friendly 16-section format.
