Safety Data Sheet Search
*Disclaimer: Chemical Safety’s Global database may contain SDS that have been discontinued or have an outdated version. It is up to the user to double-check directly with the manufacturer to make sure they are acquiring the latest SDS per product.
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SDS Overview
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For Employers
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GHS Pictograms
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Transportation
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Search Instructions
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Permissions Requests
What is a Safety Data Sheet?
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS), or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is a standardized document that contains occupational safety and health data. The International Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) mandates that chemical manufacturers must communicate a chemical’s hazard information to chemical handlers by providing a Safety Data Sheet. They typically contain chemical properties, health, and environmental hazards, protective measures, as well as safety precautions for storing, handling, and transporting chemicals.
Globally Harmonized System
GHS is a set of international guidelines that were developed by the United Nations. These guidelines were created to ensure the safe manufacturing, handling, use, disposal, and transport of hazardous materials. The GHS system is used to:
- Classify chemical data and hazard criteria.
- Identify a chemical’s health, physical, and environmental hazards.
- Provide chemical manufacturers and distributors with a well-defined system to communicate a chemical’s hazard information and protective measures.
SDS Structure and Format
Safety data sheets have sixteen sections. The early sections, one through eight, focus on quick access to essential information that might be required by chemical handlers for safe handling practices or by emergency response personnel. Sections nine through eleven contain technical and scientific data, e.g., stability, reactivity, physical & chemical properties. Sections twelve through fifteen are not mandatory; however, they are required to be fully GHS compliant. The last section, section sixteen, contains information about the SDS itself, e.g., the revision date and changes since the last version.
Do I need an SDS?
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Safety Data Sheets are required for hazardous chemicals under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The HCS is a regulation that requires employers to provide information to workers about the hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace, including information about the properties and potential hazards of these chemicals. Employers are required to have an SDS for each hazardous chemical they use or handle and to ensure that workers have access to them. The SDS must be updated annually and must contain information on the product’s composition, physical and chemical properties, fire-fighting measures, accidental release measures, handling and storage, exposure controls, and personal protection, among other things. The purpose of the SDS is to ensure that workers have access to information about the chemicals they may be exposed to and to promote their health and safety in the workplace.
Where can I find SDSs online?
There are several online sources where you can find Safety Data Sheets:
Manufacturer or supplier websites: Many manufacturers and suppliers have SDS available on their websites for their products.
- Government agencies: Some government agencies, such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States, maintain databases of SDS that are publicly accessible.
- Chemical safety databases: There are a number of commercial chemical safety databases that provide access to SDS, such as Sigma-Aldrich, Fisher Scientific, and Safety-Kleen.
- Chemical Safety’s SDS Search Tool: The Chemical Safety Free SDS/ MSDS Database is a comprehensive resource for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) with over 1 million records. This database is constantly updated on a daily basis to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information it contains. The database is accessible for free and is widely used by students, researchers, and professors as an essential tool to further their learning and research objectives.
- Search engines: You can also use search engines, such as Google, to find SDS for specific substances or products by searching for the product name or product identifier (e.g., product code, CAS number) along with the term “SDS”.
What information is on the SDS?
A Safety Data Sheet provides information about the properties and potential hazards of a substance or product. The information on an SDS is organized in a standard format, with 16 sections as outlined below:
Section | Information |
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1 | Identification |
2 | Hazard(s) identification |
3 | Composition/information on ingredients |
4 | First-aid measures |
5 | Fire-fighting measures |
6 | Accidental release measures |
7 | Handling and storage |
8 | Exposure controls/personal protection |
9 | Physical and chemical properties |
10 | Stability and reactivity |
11 | Toxicological information |
12 | Ecological information |
13 | Disposal considerations |
14 | Transport information |
15 | Regulatory information |
16 | Other information, including date of preparation or last revision |
Each section provides specific information about the substance or product, such as its composition, potential hazards, handling and storage requirements, and emergency measures. The information on an SDS is intended to help employers and workers understand the risks associated with a substance or product and to promote safe handling and use. It is important to have an up-to-date SDS for each substance or product used in the workplace to ensure that workers have access to the information they need to work safely.
When is the SDS updated?
Manufacturers must update Safety Data Sheets if there are any changes to the regulations or laws that apply to the substance or product, such as changes to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in the United States. It is important to regularly review and update SDS to ensure that workers have access to the most current and accurate information about the substances and products they may be exposed to in the workplace.
How will I know if an SDS has been updated?
It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that their workers have access to the latest version of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each substance or product used in the workplace. If an SDS has been updated, the employer should provide their workers with access to the updated version.
There are several ways that an employer can keep track of updates to SDS:
- Regular reviews: Employers can conduct regular reviews of their SDS to ensure that they are up-to-date and accurate.
- Manufacturer notifications: Manufacturers or suppliers of a substance or product may notify the employer when an SDS has been updated.
- Software: Employers can use software to manage their SDS and receive notifications of updates.
It is important to have an accurate and up-to-date SDS for each substance or product used in the workplace to ensure that workers have access to the information they need to work safely.
SDS Information for Employers
Employers must ensure that employees have access to safety data sheets for all of the hazardous chemicals they handle. Employers may fulfill this requirement in a variety of ways. For example, SDS binders are quite common as are computer-based SDS databases. What’s important is that employees have access to the safety data sheets for all of the chemicals that they are using. If the employer does not have an SDS for one of these chemicals they should contact the manufacturer to obtain the current version of the SDS for that chemical. In this sense, the online SDS databases have a clear advantage over binder-based systems since the database vendor usually takes care of indexing and updating the safety data sheets.
What are the responsibilities of an employer regarding Safety Data Sheets (SDS)?
As an employer, you have several responsibilities related to Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The main responsibilities are as follows:
- Obtain SDS/MSDS: Employers must obtain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each hazardous substance or product used in the workplace.
- Provide access to SDS: Employers must provide their workers with access to the SDS for each substance or product used in the workplace. This access can be in paper or electronic format.
- Train employees: Employers must train their workers on the hazards of the substances and products they work with, including the information found on the SDS.
- Keep SDS up-to-date: Employers must ensure that the SDS they have obtained are up-to-date and accurate. SDS must be updated annually or whenever there is a change to the information contained in the SDS.
- Replace outdated SDS: Employers must replace any outdated SDS with the most recent version.
These responsibilities are mandated by various regulations and laws, such as the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in the United States, which require employers to provide their workers with information about the hazards of the substances and products they may be exposed to in the workplace. Failure to comply with these responsibilities can result in legal penalties and harm to the health and safety of workers.
Is all the information I need on the SDS?
Not necessarily. The Safety Data Sheet is not the only source of information you may need in the workplace. While the SDS provides important information about the hazards of a substance or product, it is not a complete source of information.
Additional information may be needed to ensure that workers are protected from the hazards of the substances and products they work with, such as:
- Product label: The product label may provide additional information, such as the product name, product identifier, and manufacturer or supplier contact information.
- Manufacturer or supplier information: The manufacturer or supplier of the substance or product may provide additional information, such as recommended use, storage, and disposal information.
- Industry standards and best practices: Industry standards and best practices may provide additional information and guidance on how to use and handle substances and products safely.
- Regulations and laws: Regulations and laws, such as the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in the United States, may provide additional information about the responsibilities of employers and workers.
It is important to use the SDS in conjunction with other sources of information to ensure that workers are protected from the hazards of the substances and products they work with.
What are the circumstances when a worker would need to use a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
A worker may need to use a Safety Data Sheet in the following circumstances:
- Handling hazardous substances or products: Workers who handle hazardous substances or products, such as chemicals, need to use the SDS to understand the hazards and precautions associated with the substances or products.
- Accident or emergency response: In the event of an accident or emergency, such as a spill or release of a hazardous substance, workers may need to access the SDS to understand the hazards and appropriate response measures.
- Training: Workers may need to use the SDS as part of their training to understand the hazards of the substances or products they work with and how to handle them safely.
- Risk assessment: Workers may need to use the SDS as part of a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and evaluate the risks associated with handling and using the substance or product.
- Regulatory compliance: Some regulations, such as the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in the United States, may require workers to have access to the SDS as part of the employer’s obligations to provide information about the hazards of the substances and products they work with.
It is important for workers to understand the hazards associated with the substances and products they work with, and the SDS provides important information that can help workers to work safely and minimize their risk of exposure to hazardous substances.
Hazard Communication Standard Pictogram
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires pictograms on labels to alert users of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed. The pictogram on the label is determined by the chemical hazard classification. The pictogram consists of a symbol on a white background framed within a red border and represents a distinct hazard(s).
GHS Hazard | Pictogram | Hazard Class & Hazard Category |
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Explosive | ![]() |
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Flammable | ![]() |
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Oxidizing | ![]() |
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Compressed Gas | ![]() |
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Corrosive | ![]() |
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Toxic | ![]() |
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Corrosive | ![]() |
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Irritant | ![]() |
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Health Hazard | ![]() |
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Environ- mentally Damaging | ![]() |
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Class 1: Explosives
GHS Hazard | Pictogram | Hazard Class & Hazard Category |
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Divisions 1.1–1.3 | ![]() |
Explosives
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Division 1.4 | ![]() |
Explosives
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Division 1.5 | ![]() |
Explosives
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Division 1.6 | ![]() |
Explosives
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Class 2: Gases
GHS Hazard | Pictogram | Hazard Class & Hazard Category |
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Division 2.1 | ![]() |
Flammable Gases
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Division 2.2 | ![]() |
Non-flammable Non-toxic Gases
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Division 2.3 | ![]() |
Toxic Gases
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Classes 3 and 4: Flammable Liquids and Solids
GHS Hazard | Pictogram | Hazard Class & Hazard Category |
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Class 3 | ![]() |
Flammable Liquids
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Division 4.1 | ![]() |
Flammable Solids, Self-reactive Substances and Solid Desensitized Explosives
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Division 4.2 | ![]() |
Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion
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Division 4.3 | ![]() |
Substances Which in Contact with Water Emit Flammable Gases
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Other GHS Transport Classes
GHS Hazard | Pictogram | Hazard Class & Hazard Category |
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Division 5.1 | ![]() |
Oxidizing substances
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Division 5.2 | ![]() |
Organic Peroxides
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Division 6.1 | ![]() |
Toxic Substances
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Class 8 | ![]() |
Corrosive Substances
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Basic Searches
Enter the chemical name in the Substance field and click on the Submit button. A list of matching results from one or more manufacturers will be returned if the chemical is found in the database. You can then click on the desired result and a summary page will open.
GHS labels and safety data sheets can be printed or downloaded. Click on the View GHS Label button at the bottom left of the summary page to open the GHS label. Click on the View SDS button at the bottom right of the summary page to open the safety data sheet.
Advanced Searches
More advanced searches can be performed by populating multiple fields with data. For example, enter the chemical name in the Substance field and enter the manufacturer name in the Manufacturer field. This will return fewer, but more precise results. Also, the Search Type can be manipulated using the “begins with” and “contains” drop-down selections.
You can search for SDS’s using the CAS number. This will return only pure chemicals and not mixtures that contain that CAS number.
Use Guidelines
Chemical Safety’s SDS and GHS database is a free service available to organizations of all types. For-profit organizations are granted permission to access Chemical Safety’s SDS Search from Chemical Safety’s website. There are no restrictions on the number of searches performed. Educational and not-for-profit institutions may embed Chemical Safety’s SDS search on their own websites (see instructions below).Inserting a Direct Link 
Inserting a direct link to Chemical Safety’s SDS search page is the easiest solution and requires minimal effort. For convenience, the link will open in a new browser tab. To insert a direct link to our SDS search page, add this code (copy & paste) to your webpage:
<a href="https://www.chemicalsafety.com/sds-search" target="_blank"> Click here for SDS search </a>
Embedding the Search Functionality on Third-party Websites
Embedding Chemical Safety’s search functionality can also be achieved in two ways:Method 1: Static iFRAME embedding
You can the add the search functionality in your web page by adding the following code.<iframe width="800" height="800" src="https://www.chemicalsafety.com/sds-search"></iframe>In the above code snippet you can set the width and height to match your website design. This solution is easier to implement but is not so customizable as the previous one.