A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) communicates information about a chemical product’s hazards, safe handling, storage, emergency response and related controls. The older term Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is still heard in workplaces, but GHS-based systems use the standardized SDS terminology and structure.
SDS vs MSDS
| SDS | Legacy MSDS |
|---|---|
| Standardized GHS-style structure | Historically varied more by supplier/jurisdiction |
| Uses a defined 16-section sequence | Older formats were less standardized |
| Designed to align hazard communication terminology and content | May pre-date current GHS-aligned requirements |
The 16 SDS Sections
- Identification
- Hazard identification
- Composition / information on ingredients
- First-aid measures
- Fire-fighting measures
- Accidental release measures
- Handling and storage
- Exposure controls / personal protection
- Physical and chemical properties
- Stability and reactivity
- Toxicological information
- Ecological information
- Disposal considerations
- Transport information
- Regulatory information
- Other information, including revision details
Why SDS Matters in Supply Chains
- Procurement: confirms hazard classification and handling requirements before sourcing.
- Warehousing: informs storage, segregation, PPE and spill-response controls.
- Transport: Section 14 can support dangerous-goods assessment, but transport classification/documentation must still follow the applicable modal regulations.
- Emergency response: provides first-aid, fire and release information.
- Change control: revision dates help users confirm they are working from the current version.
Important: GHS Is Implemented Through Local Rules
GHS provides an internationally harmonized framework, but legal obligations are implemented by individual countries or regions. Businesses should therefore verify the SDS, language, classification, labeling and workplace requirements applicable at the destination and workplace.
U.S. 2026 Hazard Communication Update
OSHA updated the U.S. Hazard Communication Standard in 2024 to align primarily with GHS Revision 7 and later extended compliance dates in January 2026. As of September 2026, the extended manufacturer/importer/distributor deadline for substances (May 19, 2026) has passed. Employers have until November 20, 2026, as necessary, to update workplace labeling, hazard communication programs and training for newly identified substance hazards. Later deadlines apply to mixtures: manufacturers/importers/distributors by November 19, 2027 and employer updates by May 19, 2028.
SDS Review Checklist
- Correct product and supplier identity
- Current revision date
- Hazard classification matches supplied product
- Storage and incompatibility requirements understood
- PPE and emergency controls available
- Transport section reviewed against the actual transport regulation
- Local language/regulatory requirements checked
For transport-specific dangerous-goods controls, see Hazardous Materials in Supply Chains.
Interview Question
Question: Is an SDS by itself enough to determine how a dangerous good must be shipped?
Answer: No. The SDS is an important information source, but shipment must comply with the applicable air, sea, road or national dangerous-goods regulation. The classification and transport document requirements should be verified against those rules.
References
- United Nations UNECE — Globally Harmonized System (GHS), SDS guidance and 16-section format.
- U.S. OSHA — Hazard Communication Standard 2024 update and January 2026 compliance-date extension.
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