How many sections are included on a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) includes 16 sections, which provide detailed information about the properties of a chemical substance or mixture. These sections are standardized to ensure consistency and accessibility of vital safety information across different regions and industries. The sections cover aspects such as identification of the substance, hazards, composition, first-aid measures, firefighting measures, accidental release measures, handling and storage, exposure controls, stability and reactivity, toxicological information, ecological information, disposal considerations, transport information, regulatory information, and any other relevant details.

Having a uniform number of sections helps users quickly locate essential information and promotes safer handling and use of hazardous substances. The existence of 16 sections is part of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, which aims to standardize safety information and improve communication regarding chemical hazards.