How Many Sections Are in a GHS Safety Data Sheet?

A GHS Safety Data Sheet (SDS) has 16 sections, arranged in a standardized order so workers, emergency responders, and other users can find hazard and handling information quickly. In the United States, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard requires specific information in most of the sections, while some sections address topics regulated by other agencies. Knowing what each section covers makes an SDS easier to use and helps workplaces communicate chemical hazards effectively.

The Short Answer: 16 Sections

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) sets out a 16-section format for SDSs. The format is used internationally and adopted in the United States through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard, often called HazCom or HazCom 2012.

In the U.S., an SDS is generally expected to follow the GHS order. OSHA’s rules specify required information for Sections 1 through 11 and Section 16. Sections 12 through 15 are part of the 16-section format, but OSHA does not enforce their contents because those subjects fall under other agencies’ jurisdictions. Their presence can still be useful, and other regulations or countries may require related information.

The section numbers and headings matter: they give SDS users a predictable way to locate information. For instance, exposure limits and protective equipment are found in Section 8, while first-aid measures are in Section 4. The information within a section may vary depending on the chemical and the hazards identified.

What Each of the 16 SDS Sections Contains

A Closer Look at the Sections Workers Use Most

Sections 1 and 2: Identify the Product and Its Hazards

Section 1 identifies the chemical product and its supplier. It typically gives the product name or identifier, recommended use, restrictions on use, manufacturer or distributor details, and an emergency phone number. Users should check that the product identifier matches the container label. If the names do not match, they should ask the supplier or workplace safety contact to verify that they have the correct SDS.

Section 2 summarizes the hazards and label information. It may list hazard classifications, signal words such as “Danger” or “Warning,” hazard statements, and precautionary statements. It can also identify hazards that do not result in a GHS classification. This section is a useful starting point, but it does not replace the handling, exposure-control, or first-aid details elsewhere in the document.

Sections 3 and 4: Ingredients and First Aid

Section 3 describes the chemical’s composition. For a single substance, it identifies the substance; for a mixture, it may identify hazardous ingredients and their concentrations or concentration ranges. Certain trade-secret provisions can affect what is disclosed, but they do not eliminate the need to communicate hazards as required by law.

Section 4 provides first-aid instructions organized by exposure route, such as inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, or ingestion. It may describe symptoms and indicate whether immediate medical attention or special treatment is needed. In an emergency, the SDS can support responders, but it should not delay calling 911 or contacting poison control when appropriate.

Sections 5 and 6: Fire and Spill Response

Section 5 covers fire-fighting measures, including suitable extinguishing media, specific hazards created by combustion, and recommended protective equipment for firefighters. Section 6 addresses accidental releases. It may describe personal precautions, protective equipment, environmental precautions, containment, and cleanup procedures.

These sections should be used alongside workplace emergency plans and training. A chemical’s cleanup instructions may not be appropriate for an untrained employee or a large release. Workplaces should establish who is authorized to respond and when an evacuation or emergency response team is needed.

Sections 7 and 8: Handling, Storage, and Exposure Controls

Section 7 describes precautions for safe handling and storage. It may address ventilation, incompatible materials, conditions to avoid, and hygiene practices. The section can also distinguish general handling guidance from specific storage requirements, such as keeping a container tightly closed or storing it away from heat.

Section 8 is central to planning exposure controls. It may list occupational exposure limits established by OSHA, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other organizations. The presence of a limit does not mean every listed value is an OSHA-enforceable limit. Section 8 also describes engineering controls, such as local exhaust ventilation, and PPE recommendations for eye, skin, and respiratory protection.

PPE recommendations should be evaluated for the task and workplace conditions. Gloves, for example, may differ in suitability depending on the chemical, concentration, exposure duration, and glove material. Employers are responsible for selecting and providing appropriate protection under applicable workplace rules.

Sections 9 Through 11: Properties, Reactivity, and Health Effects

Section 9 lists physical and chemical properties. Depending on the product and available data, these may include appearance, odor, pH, melting or freezing point, boiling point, flash point, evaporation rate, vapor pressure, vapor density, solubility, and flammability. A property marked “not available” or “not applicable” is not the same as a finding that the chemical has no hazard.

Section 10 describes stability and reactivity, including the possibility of hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid, incompatible materials, and hazardous decomposition products. This information can inform storage, process design, and emergency planning. Section 11 covers toxicological information, such as likely routes of exposure, symptoms, acute and chronic effects, and relevant toxicity data. It helps explain how exposure may affect health, but it is not a substitute for medical advice.

Why Sections 12 Through 15 May Be Different in the United States

Sections 12 through 15 address ecology, disposal, transport, and regulatory information. They are part of the GHS 16-section format, but OSHA does not enforce their contents under HazCom because those subjects are regulated by other U.S. agencies or authorities. As a result, these sections may be brief, incomplete, or marked as outside OSHA’s jurisdiction on a U.S. SDS.

• Section 12: Ecological information, such as environmental toxicity or persistence.
• Section 13: Disposal considerations, which should be checked against applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Section 14: Transport information, which may relate to requirements administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Section 15: Regulatory information, which may identify relevant safety, health, or environmental regulations.

A blank or limited entry in these sections does not necessarily mean the product has no environmental, disposal, or shipping implications. Users should consult the appropriate regulator, transportation documentation, waste professional, or supplier when more detail is needed.

How to Use an SDS Effectively

1. Confirm the product. Match the product identifier in Section 1 to the workplace container and label.
2. Check the hazards. Review Section 2 and the label before handling the chemical.
3. Plan the task. Use Sections 7 and 8 to review handling, storage, exposure limits, controls, and PPE.
4. Prepare for emergencies. Find first-aid, fire, and spill information in Sections 4, 5, and 6.
5. Consider the process. Review Sections 9 and 10 when physical properties, storage compatibility, or process conditions matter.
6. Consult the full document. Use Section 11 and other relevant sections to understand health effects and remaining product information.

An SDS should be accessible to employees during their work shift, as required by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. Workers should know where the document is stored or how to retrieve it electronically. Digital access is useful only if employees can readily reach the SDS when needed, including during an emergency.

SDSs, Updates, and Common Misunderstandings

An SDS is not a substitute for a chemical’s container label, workplace training, or a written hazard communication program. The label provides essential hazard information at the point of use; the SDS gives more detailed information. Both should be consistent, and employees should be trained to use them.

Some people still use the older term “MSDS,” meaning Material Safety Data Sheet. OSHA’s HazCom revisions aligned U.S. requirements with the GHS and use the term Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Older MSDS documents may not use the standardized 16-section format, so workplaces should verify that they have current, applicable SDSs for the chemicals they use.

OSHA requires chemical manufacturers and importers to revise an SDS when they become aware of significant new information about a chemical’s hazards or ways to protect against those hazards. OSHA’s rule generally requires the revised information to be provided within three months of learning of the new information. Employers should have a process for receiving updates and making the latest SDS available to employees.

Another common misunderstanding is that every section must contain extensive data. SDS content depends on the product, the hazards, and the information available. Some entries may state that data are unavailable or not applicable. Such entries should be interpreted in context rather than treated as proof that a substance is harmless.

Reliable Sources for SDS Requirements

For U.S. workplace requirements, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, and its Appendix D, Safety Data Sheets, are primary references. Appendix D specifies the information required in the SDS sections covered by OSHA. The United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System provides the international framework behind the standardized format.