What does a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for chemicals represent for you?
In practice, I often see manufacturers and importers of chemicals treating this document as an unnecessary burden, while users of chemicals just pile it up with other useless documents.
An SDS is a fundamental document for every chemical. It serves as the primary communication tool, presenting the chemical to the user. It contains all the important information about the chemical, such as:
- Purpose
- Classification and labeling of hazards
- Composition
- First aid measures
- Procedures in case of fire or spillage
- Personal protective equipment information
- Handling and storage recommendations
- Disposal and transport information, etc.
The creation of Safety Data Sheets in Bosnia and Herzegovina is prescribed by the Chemical Laws of the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These laws also specify when an SDS is not required. An SDS is not needed for chemical mixtures that are marketed in their final form as:
- Medicines and medical devices used in human and veterinary medicine
- Cosmetic products
- Food and animal feed, food and feed additives, flavors, and animal feed supplements.
I have already written about the procedures in which an SDS is required. However, the importance of an SDS is greatest for companies that store, use, or transport chemicals.
This document is the basis for establishing work procedures, planning preventive measures, handling accidents, and planning adequate work protection.
There are some cases where an SDS does not need to be provided to the user of the chemical. Such a case is with chemicals intended for general use if users are provided with adequate information in another way (via the label). This information must be sufficient for the correct use of the chemical and for taking appropriate safety measures.
Note: If the user still requests an SDS for such a chemical, you are obliged to provide it.
It is very important that the information on the labels of chemical products is consistent with the SDS, especially when intended for general use. Hazard labeling must be consistent in all chemical documents.
You might be worried about the amount of documentation that needs to be provided to customers, or you don't know where to store the SDS for all the chemicals you use. There is a solution: the supplier of the chemicals can provide the SDS to the recipient in electronic form (by delivering a file or a direct link to the file).
This means that a paper version is not necessary if access to the electronic version of the document is provided to every person handling the chemical.
This is in line with sustainability standards, the general trend of business digitalization, and the planned introduction of digital passports for products.
Systems for creating SDS, such as our Chemius, enable easy sharing of documents (data) with all interested parties. You do not have to worry about which is the latest valid version of the document.
Chemius allows you to always have up-to-date documentation in one place and to track all changes to the document. Document traceability is very important, especially when you have different product batches on the market that may be accompanied by different labels.
If you want to check the capabilities of Chemius, we can create a free SDS for you. Contact me at nina.pajovic@bens-consulting.eu.
Author of the original image Kindel Media portal Pexels
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