The intent of the safety data sheet (SDS) is to answer these questions:
- What is the material?
- What information needs to be known immediately?
- What should be done in cases of emergency situations?
- How can hazardous situations be prevented from occurring?
- What other useful information is there on this material?
SDSs supplied by chemical manufacturers are in a uniform format that includes 16 specific sections. The SDS will include the section numbers, the headings, and associated information under each heading. The 16-section headings are:
- 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 (includes the date of preparation or last revision)
