SECTION 1: Identification

Key Components of Section 1

Product Identifier: Includes product name, trade name, chemical name, CAS number, EC number (for substances), REACH registration number (if applicable), and Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) for hazardous mixtures.
Relevant Identified Uses: Brief description of intended uses and uses advised against, including reasons for such advisories.
Details of the Supplier: Name of the supplier, full address, phone number, and email address of a competent person responsible for the SDS.
Emergency Telephone Number: A 24/7 emergency contact number with any limitations on operating hours clearly specified.

Requirements for Substances

For substances, the product identifier must include at least one of the following in order of preference:

Name and identification number as given in Part 3 of Annex VI to CLP
If not in Annex VI, a name and identification number from the C&L Inventory
CAS number and IUPAC name
If CAS number is not available, the IUPAC name alone

Required Identifiers:

REACH registration number (if applicable)
EC number (if available)
CAS number (if available)
Chemical name
Index number (if listed in Annex VI)
Molecular and structural formula (if applicable)

Requirements for Mixtures

For mixtures, the product identifier must include:

Trade name or designation
Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) when required
Identity of all substances contributing to classification

For pure substances:

The product name provided on the SDS will be chemical name(s) of the hazardous substance (e.g. Orthophosphoric acid). Substances which are more complex will have more chemicals, which may begin to cause confusion.

In such cases, the manufacturer or supplier will provide other identifiers - such as acronyms or synonyms (abbreviations and alternative names, respectively).

For mixtures:

The product name provided on the SDS will be the trade name (e.g. Phosphoric acid).

If the product is a pure substance then the manufacturer or supplier must also include at least an identification number in subsection 1.1. They may provide the CAS number, the EC number or the Index number.

UFI Requirements

The Unique Formula Identifier is mandatory for:

Consumer use: since January 1, 2021
Professional use: since January 1, 2021
Industrial use: from January 1, 2024

Quality Assurance Checklist

Verify consistency between SDS and product label
Ensure all mandatory fields are completed accurately
Validate emergency contact numbers and ensure they are operational
Check that registration numbers are formatted correctly
Confirm supplier details are complete and up-to-date

SDS Formatting Overview

The formatting of SDSs is based on the UN's Globally Harmonised System (GHS), which provides a standardized template with 16 mandatory sections. EU and UK REACH Regulations include additional mandatory sub-headings to ensure comprehensive coverage of safety information. Proper formatting is critical to ensure compliance with legal requirements and effective communication of hazards.

SDS Formatting Checklist:

Correct headings and sub-headings as mandated by legislation
No blank subsections allowed; use "no data available" where appropriate
Compliance with Regulation (EU) No. 2020/878 or UK Regulation No. 2015/830

Critical Verification Steps

Before you allow anyone to use the substance or mixture you should check that the product name provided in subsection 1.1 of the safety data sheet matches - exactly - the name provided on the label on the product's container.

If the name doesn't match - or you have any other doubts about the product (i.e. the product colour doesn't match the physical characteristics detailed in Section 9) then you must immediately contact the manufacturer or supplier to clarify the details before you allow anything to be done with the substance(s).

SECTION 1: Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking