Chemscape’s SDS library reports a 31% turnover in SDS master library annually
March 10, 2022
Chemscape’s Data Entry Team has observed a 31% turnover in the master library of SDSs year-to-year. This statistic emphasizes the importance of having SDS Management professionals provide regular monitoring of your SDS inventory. It also tells us chemical suppliers became aware of significant new information on a hazardous product triggering a need to update their Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
By regulation, an SDS must be accurate at the time of sale. Suppliers have an ongoing responsibility to make sure their product’s SDS and label are accurate and compliant.
How do I know if an SDS has been updated?
Every SDS must provide a date of the last revision in Section 16 – Other Information. You will know if an SDS has been updated by checking this date and comparing it to the one on any previous SDS you have.
What information changes are occurring on SDSs?
The turnover observed by Chemscape appears to be due to:
- Merging or unmerging of products (i.e., an SDS can be written to cover a series of similar products with similar classifications or split into separate individual SDSs).
- Country-specific regulations (e.g., changing a North American version into Canadian and USA separate documents).
- Changes in transport classification.
- Ingredient or concentration changes that affect Section 2 GHS classifications.
- Product name changes.
- Company name changes due to acquisitions.
What may be influencing the updates to SDSs?
Improvements in Quality of SDSs
This positive trend is an improvement in the quality of Safety Data Sheets over the years. As promised, the transition to GHS has led to better hazard communication from chemical suppliers and manufacturers.
The growing number of individuals who have expertise in SDS Authoring has also increased since the American Industrial Hygiene Association developed the AIHA Registry Program in partnership with the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC) to assure the recognition of competent professionals. If you need Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Labels, Deerfoot Consulting has a number of Registered SDS Authors that can help.
Requirements to update new information on the SDS
An SDS needs to be updated when there is new information that changes how the hazardous product is classified, or when there are changes to the way you will handle or store or protect yourself from the hazards of the product.
The supplier of a hazardous product has 90-days to update the SDS upon becoming aware of the new information. A customer who purchases the product within the 90-day period must be informed of the significant new data, in writing by the supplier on the date the information became available.
Upcoming Updates to GHS in Fall 2022
Significant information changes will continue as OSHA updates the HCS and Canada updates WHMIS to the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) (revision 7) in Fall 2022. This will include an array of significant changes, from the introduction of new physical hazard classifications, such as pyrophoric gases and non-flammable aerosols, to updated label guidance and the addition of new precautionary phrases.
Communication SDS updates in the workplace is complex. Contact the experts at Chemscape Safety Technologies today to learn more about our SDS management solutions.
