BIH: What is the connection between a safety data sheet and a label?

One of the most common mistakes in chemical documentation is when there are discrepancies between the content of the safety data sheet and the label.

This is also one of the first things an inspector checks.

The inspector will simply take or request the product, review the label, and then the safety data sheet, to verify the consistency of their content.

What could go wrong here?

There is often a mismatch in trade names. The trade name on the label must be identical to the one in the safety data sheet.

The label and safety data sheet for products marketed in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be written in one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It often happens that the names of hazardous substances are not translated, which is not compliant with regulations.

You might already have a label in one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which unfortunately does not match the content of the safety data sheet.

Mandatory labeling elements are listed in section 2.2 of the safety data sheet. These are the elements that must be included on the label:

• identifiers (trade name, listing of hazardous substances),
• pictograms,
• warning words,
• H statements,
• P statements.

Also, if there has been a change in the product classification, and consequently the safety data sheet, it is easy for your label to be based on an outdated safety data sheet.

Ensure that when you update the safety data sheet, you also update the label. It must always be consistent with the content of the safety data sheet.

If the label was prepared by the supplier and is not consistent with the safety data sheet, inform the supplier that the label is inadequate and request a correction. If you are responsible for the label, then you must ensure its consistency.

And if you need help with that, feel free to contact me.

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