Section 16: Other Information
Section 16 of a Safety Data Sheet provides supplementary information that is not covered in Sections 1-15 but is considered relevant for the safe use of the substance or mixture. This section includes explanations of abbreviations, key literature references, training advice, and other important information that helps users fully understand the SDS content.
Purpose and Importance
Section 16 serves several critical functions in a Safety Data Sheet:
Clarity and Comprehension
Provides explanations of technical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms used throughout the SDS to ensure users fully understand the information presented.
Transparency
Discloses the sources of information, classification methods, and evaluation procedures used to create the SDS, enhancing credibility and traceability.
Completeness
Includes full text of hazard statements, precautionary statements, and other coded information that may be abbreviated elsewhere in the document.
Currency
Provides revision information and dates to help users ensure they are working with the most up-to-date safety information.
Key Components of Section 16
16.1 Abbreviations and Acronyms
Explanations of technical terms and shorthand notations used throughout the SDS
16.2 Date of Preparation/Revision
Information about when the SDS was created or last updated, including version history
16.3 Key Literature References and Sources for Data
Citations of important information sources used to compile the SDS
16.4 Classification Procedure
Methods used to determine the classification for mixtures
16.5 Full Text of Hazard Statements
Complete wording of H-statements referenced throughout the SDS
16.6 Training Advice
Recommendations for worker education and training related to the substance or mixture
16.7 Further Information
Additional relevant safety information not covered elsewhere
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Safety Data Sheets often contain numerous technical abbreviations and acronyms. Section 16 should provide clear explanations of these terms to ensure proper understanding.
| Abbreviation | Full Term | Context |
|---|---|---|
| ADR | European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road | Transport regulations |
| CAS | Chemical Abstracts Service | Substance identification |
| CLP | Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 | EU hazard classification |
| DNEL | Derived No Effect Level | Human health exposure thresholds |
| EC50 | Half maximal Effective Concentration | Ecotoxicity testing |
| GHS | Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals | International classification system |
| IATA | International Air Transport Association | Air transport regulations |
| IMDG | International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code | Sea transport regulations |
| LC50 | Lethal Concentration, 50% | Acute toxicity testing |
| LD50 | Lethal Dose, 50% | Acute toxicity testing |
| PBT | Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic | Environmental hazard assessment |
| PNEC | Predicted No Effect Concentration | Environmental exposure thresholds |
| REACH | Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals | EU chemicals regulation |
| STOT | Specific Target Organ Toxicity | Health hazard classification |
| vPvB | very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative | Environmental hazard assessment |
Full Text of Hazard Statements
Section 16 should include the complete text of all H-statements referenced by code elsewhere in the SDS. This ensures users fully understand the hazards associated with the substance or mixture.
Physical Hazards
- H220: Extremely flammable gas
- H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
- H226: Flammable liquid and vapor
- H228: Flammable solid
- H240: Heating may cause an explosion
- H250: Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air
- H260: In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously
- H270: May cause or intensify fire; oxidizer
- H280: Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated
Health Hazards
- H301: Toxic if swallowed
- H302: Harmful if swallowed
- H304: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
- H311: Toxic in contact with skin
- H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- H315: Causes skin irritation
- H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction
- H318: Causes serious eye damage
- H319: Causes serious eye irritation
- H330: Fatal if inhaled
- H331: Toxic if inhaled
- H332: Harmful if inhaled
Health Hazards (continued)
- H334: May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled
- H335: May cause respiratory irritation
- H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness
- H340: May cause genetic defects
- H350: May cause cancer
- H351: Suspected of causing cancer
- H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child
- H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
- H370: Causes damage to organs
- H371: May cause damage to organs
- H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
- H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
Environmental Hazards
- H400: Very toxic to aquatic life
- H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
- H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
- H412: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
- H413: May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life
- EUH059: Hazardous to the ozone layer
- EUH066: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
- EUH070: Toxic by eye contact
- EUH071: Corrosive to the respiratory tract
Key Literature References and Sources
Section 16 should identify the primary sources of information used to compile the SDS. This enhances transparency and allows users to consult original sources if needed.
Regulatory Sources
- REACH registration dossiers
- CLP Annex VI harmonized classifications
- Official regulatory guidance documents
- National and international chemical inventories
- Occupational exposure limit documentation
Scientific Literature
- Peer-reviewed toxicological studies
- Ecotoxicological research papers
- Chemical safety reports
- Industry association publications
- Academic research databases
Technical Resources
- Manufacturer's technical data sheets
- Chemical property databases
- Specialized toxicology databases
- Physical-chemical property references
- Industry best practice guidelines
International Organizations
- OECD test guidelines and reports
- WHO health and safety publications
- ILO chemical safety information
- UNEP environmental assessments
- IARC monographs on carcinogenic risks
Training Advice
Section 16 should provide recommendations for worker training related to the safe handling and use of the substance or mixture.
Recommended Training Topics
- Hazard awareness: Understanding the specific hazards associated with the substance or mixture
- Safe handling procedures: Proper techniques for handling, transferring, and processing
- Personal protective equipment: Selection, use, limitations, and maintenance of appropriate PPE
- Emergency procedures: Actions to take in case of spills, fires, or exposure incidents
- First aid measures: Appropriate response to exposure scenarios
- Environmental protection: Preventing releases and managing waste properly
- Regulatory compliance: Understanding applicable legal requirements
- SDS interpretation: How to read and apply information from the safety data sheet
Example of Section 16 Content
16. Other Information
Abbreviations and acronyms:
ADR: European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service
CLP: Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
DNEL: Derived No Effect Level
GHS: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
IATA: International Air Transport Association
IMDG: International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
LC50: Lethal Concentration, 50%
LD50: Lethal Dose, 50%
PBT: Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic
PNEC: Predicted No Effect Concentration
REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals
STOT: Specific Target Organ Toxicity
vPvB: very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative
Key literature references and sources for data:
REACH registration dossier
ECHA C&L Inventory
Supplier safety data sheets for components
GESTIS Substance Database
TOXNET Database
Classification procedure:
Classification according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 [CLP]
Physical hazards: Based on test data
Health hazards: Calculation method
Environmental hazards: Calculation method
Full text of H-statements:
H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
H319: Causes serious eye irritation
H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness
Training advice:
Regular safety training should be provided according to specific workplace requirements. Special emphasis should be placed on handling procedures, emergency response, and personal protective equipment use.
Further information:
This information is based on our current knowledge and is intended to describe the product for the purposes of health, safety, and environmental requirements only. It should not be construed as guaranteeing any specific property of the product. It is the responsibility of the user to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Revision:
Version: 3.2
Revision date: 2024-01-15
Changes: Updated regulatory information in Section 15, revised transport requirements in Section 14, updated exposure controls in Section 8, added new safety measures in Section 7.
Legal Disclaimer
Section 16 often includes a legal disclaimer statement. While this is not specifically required by regulations, it is common practice to include a statement clarifying the limitations of the information provided in the SDS.
Typical disclaimer language might include:
- The information is provided in good faith but without warranty of any kind
- The information relates only to the specific material designated
- It may not be valid for the material used in combination with other materials
- It is the user's responsibility to determine the suitability of the information for their particular use
- The supplier assumes no legal responsibility for use or reliance upon the information
Common Issues with Section 16
When preparing or reviewing Section 16 of an SDS, be aware of these common issues:
- Incomplete list of abbreviations used in the SDS
- Missing or incomplete full text of hazard statements
- Outdated revision information
- Vague or missing information about classification procedures
- Generic training advice that doesn't address specific hazards
- Lack of specific literature references or data sources
- Inconsistencies between information in Section 16 and other sections
Best Practices for Section 16
- Include all abbreviations and acronyms used throughout the SDS
- Provide the complete text of all hazard statements referenced by code
- Clearly indicate the revision date and version number
- Specify what changes were made in the current revision
- Include specific and relevant training recommendations
- Cite specific literature references and data sources
- Explain the classification procedure used for mixtures
- Ensure consistency with information provided in other sections
- Use clear, concise language that is accessible to the intended audience
- Review and update Section 16 whenever the SDS is revised
Important: Section 16 should be viewed as an integral part of the SDS, not merely an appendix. The information provided in this section is essential for the proper understanding and application of the safety information throughout the document. Regular review and updates are necessary to ensure the information remains current and accurate.