Chemical labelling and information
How to use a safety data sheet to understand how to handle, store and dispose of chemicals in your business.
When you receive any chemical it may be supplied with a safety data sheet (SDS). This is sometimes also referred to as a material safety data sheet. The SDS contains information about the chemical including:
- how to store and use it safely
- chemicals it is incompatible with, for example that you should not store it with
- how to dispose of it safely
When you receive a chemical, check the SDS to find out how to store it safely. If you receive a chemical without an SDS, contact your supplier to find out whether or not they have to provide one.
Understand hazard labels
If the chemical you receive is hazardous it should have a hazard label on it. These labels contain chemical hazard warning symbols that tell you what the risks of a chemical or product are. The hazard label will tell you whether a chemical is:
- explosive
- an oxidising agent
- flammable
- toxic
- harmful
- an irritant
- corrosive
- dangerous to the environment
You should ensure that you and your staff are familiar with the hazard labels - .
Mark vehicles that transport chemicals
If you carry chemicals in your vehicle, you must label your vehicle with the appropriate hazard warning label for those chemicals.
If you transport dangerous chemicals you must meet further requirements for packaging, labelling and documentation - .
Manufacturing and supplying chemicals
If you manufacture or supply chemicals you may need to provide an SDS to your customers. This is now a requirement of the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation.
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