Material Safety Data Sheets
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS,) also referred to as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is a document that describes the chemical and physical properties of a material and provides advice on its safe storage, handling and use.
It includes details of health and physicochemical hazards, exposure controls, personal protective equipment, safe handling and storage instructions, emergency procedures and disposal advice.
Within the workplace, a MSDS is a well recognised and important source of information. A MSDS is an information source that may be used to inform a program to control hazards associated with working with hazardous substances and dangerous goods. The label is also an important source of this information.
A MSDS can, and often is, prepared for non-hazardous materials, although for these materials a MSDS is not strictly necessary in order to comply with workplace OHS regulations.
Requirements for preparing a MSDS
The requirement to prepare a MSDS for a hazardous substance and/or dangerous goods lies with the supplier. A supplier is defined as a manufacturer or importer of hazardous substances or dangerous goods. The supplier should provide a MSDS, at first supply of the material or on request.
Duties and obligations for the production, review, revision and supply of MSDS are prescribed in the State and Territory regulations that give effect to the National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Substances [NOHSC:1005(1994)] and the National Standard for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods.The National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS Code) provides guidance on the preparation of an MSDS under the hazardous substances and dangerous goods regulatory frameworks.
View the National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2011(2003)] (PDF 291Kb)
Review and Approval
An MSDS must be reviewed periodically to keep it up to date, for example when any new or significant information becomes available on the hazards of the material. Otherwise, a MSDS must be reviewed and re-issued every 5 years.
MSDS do not need to be formally approved. However, the OHS authority in each State and Territory is responsible for determining whether an MSDS complies with their relevant legislation or regulations through normal compliance activities. You should contact the OHS authority in your jurisdiction for advice on whether your MSDS meets their requirements.
International MSDS
Not all countries use the same criteria for classification of hazardous substances and dangerous goods, or have equivalent requirements for MSDS. As a consequence, some overseas MSDS do not meet Australian requirements. The Australian classification system is closely aligned with the European Commission (EC) classification criteria, consequently MSDS from the Europe generally most closely align with Australian requirements.
MSDS prepared overseas are deemed to comply with Australian, State and Territory government legislation if the MSDS is prepared in accordance with the MSDS Code of Practice and it includes the following information:
- Australian contact details – name of supplier, address and telephone number, including emergency contact details
- Classification in accordance with the Australian hazardous substance and dangerous goods regulatory framework
- Ingredients, disclosed in accordance with Australian, State and Territory government legislation
- National exposure standard values if available, and
- Relevant additional Australian regulatory information.
Refer to the MSDS Code of Practice for further information.
Page last updated: 08/09/2009