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Safety Data Sheet

   
 

In order that all users of substances on their own, in preparations or in articles have the necessary data for safe handling, information is transmitted down the supply chain. It shall enable the employer to determine whether any hazardous chemicals agents or substances of concern are present in the workplace, and to assess any risk to the health and safety of workers arising from their use. The primary tool for this communication is the safety data sheet. When it is not required, other relevant information has to be provided to enable downstream user(s) to identify and apply appropriate risk management measures.

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Substances or preparations covered by a safety data sheet

The supplier of a substance or a preparation shall provide a safety data sheet:

  • where a substance or preparation meets the criteria for classification as dangerous in accordance with directives 67/548/EEC or 1999/45/EC1;
  • where a substance is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB), in accordance with the criteria set out in annexe XIII of REACH;
  • where a substance is present in the candidate list for eventual inclusion in the annexe XIV of REACH (substances subject to authorisation).
The supplier shall also transmit a safety data sheet, where a preparation does not meet the criteria for classification as dangerous, but contains:
  • at least one substance posing human health or environmental hazards in an individual concentration of ≥ 1% by weight for non-gaseous preparations and ≥ 0.2% by volume for gaseous preparations;
  • at least one substance that is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB), in accordance with the criteria set out in annexe XIII of REACH in an individual concentration of ≥ 0.1% by weight for non-gaseous preparations;
  • a substance present in the candidate list for eventual inclusion in the annexe XIV of REACH (substances subject to authorisation) in an individual concentration of ≥ 0.1% by weight for non-gaseous preparations;
  • a substance for which there are Community workplace exposure limits.

Note:
Unless requested by a downstream user or distributor, the safety data sheet is not supplied where dangerous substances or preparations offered or sold to the general public are provided with sufficient information to enable users to take the necessary measures as regards the protection of human health, safety and the environment.

Information provided in the safety data sheet

The safety data sheet contains 16 headings: for more information, see the documents The 16 headings of the safety data sheet and I read the safety data sheet. Where a chemical safety report has been performed as part of the registration procedure, the corresponding exposure scenarios (for identified uses) shall be placed in an annexe of the safety data sheet. The safety data sheet shall be supplied in an official language of the Member State(s) where the substance or preparation is placed on the market, unless the Member State(s) concerned provide otherwise. It shall be provided free of charge on paper or electronically. Suppliers shall update the safety data sheet without delay on the following occasions:

  • as soon as new information concerning the risk management measures or hazards becomes available;
  • once an authorisation has been granted or refused;
  • once a restriction has been imposed.

The new version, identified as ‘Revision: (date)’, shall be provided free of charge on paper or electronically to all former recipients, supplied within the preceding 12 months. Any updates following substance registration shall include the registration number.

Information on substances or preparations for which a safety data sheet is not required

Any supplier of a substance on its own or in a preparation who does not have to transmit a safety data sheet, shall provide the recipient with the following information:

  • indication of whether the substance is subject to authorisation and details of any authorisation granted or denied in this supply chain;
  • details of any restriction imposed;
  • any other available and relevant information about the substance, necessary to enable appropriate risk management measures to be identified and applied. This includes specific conditions stated by the registrant in his registration dossier which had allowed him not to carry out some tests required by REACH;
  • the registration number(s), if available, for any substances for which information is communicated under the above points.

This information shall be transmitted free of charge on paper or electronically and shall be updated as often as necessary under the same procedure than for the safety data sheet.

Information on substances in articles

Any supplier of an article containing a substance present in the candidate list for eventual inclusion in the annexe XIV of REACH (substances subject to authorisation), in a concentration above 0.1 % weight by weight, shall provide the professional recipient of the article with sufficient information (at the least the name of the substance), to allow safe use of the article.

The relevant information shall be provided, to a consumer at his request free of charge, within 45 days of receipt of the request. For an overall view, please see Communication down the supply chain.

1. Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (OJ 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1). Directive 1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 1999 concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations. These directives will be repealed by the regulation No 1272/2008 with effect from 1 June 2015.



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Prévention du risque chimique, France, 2007, 2009
This document is provided for information only and under no circumstances constitutes legal advice. The only authentic legal reference is the text of the REACH regulation (Regulation (EC) n° 1907/2006).