The importance of the Safety data Sheet throughout the supply chain
The SDS is the mandatory documentation that goes with hazardous substances and mixtures, which must be shared with all players involved, from the distributor to the end user.
CLP and REACH are the two regulations that deal with establishing at EU and international level the provisions and obligations for the treatment of hazardous substances and mixtures with regard to their registration, classification, labelling and packaging.
The SDS is the mandatory documentation that goes with hazardous substances and mixtures, which must be shared with all players involved, from the distributor to the end user.
Let’s see the purpose of this essential document for the fertilizers.
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Safety Data Sheet (SDS): what does it mean?
The Safety Data Sheet, or more specifically the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), is a mandatory document transmitted along the supply chain containing all the information on hazardous substances and mixtures concerning the prevention and protection of potential hazards, and how to work safely with the chemical product.
The purpose of the MSDS is therefore to provide those who distribute, handle, and use the products with the necessary information to protect human health and the surrounding environment.
There is a harmonised structure of the document, drawn up by Regulation (EU) 453/2010, which divides it into 16 sections.
CLP & REACH: the obligations
What is the CLP?
The CLP (Regulation No 1272/2008) “harmonizes the criteria for classification of substances and mixtures, and the rules on labelling and packaging for hazardous substances and mixtures. It also aims at establishing a classification and labelling inventory of substances”, as the official statement of the Regulation states.
What is the REACH?
The EC Regulation No. 1907/2006 (known as REACH) is an integrated regulation for the registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemical substances, with the aim of providing greater protection of human health and the environment.
SDS and obligations
The Art. 31 of the EC Regulation n. 1907/2006 (REACH) is clear: the dissemination of the safety data sheet is mandatory to ensure that all the players involved (distributors, retailers, and farmers) have access to the information about safety condition for people, animals and the environment.
Several articles of this Regulation state that it is mandatory to provide the MSDS when:
- A substance or mixture is classified as hazardous according to the CLP Regulation,
- A mixture is not classified as hazardous but contains specific concentrations of certain hazardous substances.
In addition, the producer is obliged to provide the MSDS whenever there is an update of the document to all recipients to whom the substance or mixture has been supplied during the previous 12 months.
Finally, the document must be drawn up in the recipient’s native language so can easily be understood all the sections.
DEMA: ongoing support in the management of mandatory documentation
At DEMA, the attention to compliance with the obligations set by REACH and CLP is constant, likewise the customer care. Our Qualified personnel is able to:
- Provide 360º support for information and requests regarding the mandatory documentation and notifications of hazardous mixtures, to be forwarded to the competent bodies,
- MSDS deployment and updates,
- Label holder and pictograms for handling dangerous goods,
- Distribution of SDS in the language of the receiving country.