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Chemical Product Safety
The 10 most common mistakes made by producers or sellers.
Check whether your company's processes ensure that you don't fall into these most common errors:
1
Registration
Since 2018 all chemicals produced, imported or marketed in Europe need to be registered with ECHA (European Chemicals Agency), which in turn characterises the hazardousness of the substance or mixture of substances and assigns the corresponding labelling requirements identified in the CLP (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) regulation.
2
Lack of Proper Labeling
A common mistake is not providing adequate labelling on chemical products. Labels should contain important information such as product identification, instructions for use, risks and precautions.
3
Improper Storage
Storing chemicals improperly can result in leaks, spillages or dangerous reactions between products. Lack of appropriate storage facilities is a serious mistake.
4
Lack of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
The Safety Data Sheet provides detailed information on the hazards of chemical products and is mandatory.
5
Inadequate Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
The SDS must be provided in accordance with the local language and legislation. Typically, local legislation requires SDS in the local language and fulfilment of all local requirements. If products are sold to another country, even within the European Union, the SDS provided must be in the language of the place of delivery and fulfil the relevant requirements. The SDS is not a document that can be automatically translated without adapting it to the respective legal requirements.
6
Lack of Knowledge of Requirements and Regulations
Not being aware of local, national and international laws and regulations related to chemical safety is a common mistake that can lead to heavy fines due to the associated chemical risks.
7
Lack of Training
Not giving employees qualified training in the safe handling of chemicals is a mistake that can result in accidents and high monetary and reputational costs and low morale in the workplace.
8
Improper Disposal
Improper disposal of used chemicals can cause damage to the environment and human health. This includes failure to comply with waste disposal regulations.
9
Neglecting Risk Assessments
Failure to carry out adequate risk assessments for chemicals or processes can result in exposure to unknown risks.
10
Failure to Provide Protective Equipment
Failure to carry out adequate risk assessments for chemicals or processes can result in exposure to unknown risks.
Why can't an SDS just be translated?
The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is an essential document for the safe handling, storage, and transportation of chemical products. However, a common mistake among companies that market chemical substances in different countries is to believe that simply translating the SDS is enough to comply with local regulations. In reality, a simple translation can lead to serious regulatory noncompliances, jeopardizing worker safety, the company's legal compliance, and the product's market acceptance.
1
SDS are regulated by specific legislation
SDSs in the European Union must comply with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH) and Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP), which establish strict criteria for the classification, packaging, and labeling of chemical substances and mixtures. In addition, there are additional national requirements in some countries.
A simple translation may not correctly reflect local obligations, such as occupational exposure limits, transportation regulations, or specific environmental requirements.
2
Differences in occupational exposure limit values
Each country can define its own occupational exposure limit values (ELVs) for certain chemical substances. For example, a permitted value in Germany may be more restrictive in Portugal. If the SDS is simply translated without adaptation, it may indicate outdated or unrecognized limits in the target country, compromising worker safety.
3
Specific requirements for first aid and environmental measures
The SDS sections covering first aid (Section 4), firefighting measures (Section 5), and measures in the event of an accidental spill (Section 6) may require adaptation to comply with national regulations. Emergency response procedures vary depending on local emergency services and require appropriate references in the SDS.
4
Legislation applicable to waste and transportation
Waste classification may differ between countries. The SDS must accurately reflect national legislation on the disposal and treatment of chemical waste, avoiding environmental penalties.
Furthermore, regulations for the transport of dangerous goods may require adjustments to classification and signage, in accordance with the regulations for the respective transport of dangerous goods by road, rail, sea or air .
Consequences of non-conformities in SDS
If an FDS does not comply with legal requirements i various penalties may arise, such as
as:
High fines: Entities can impose fines that can reach tens of thousands of euros.
Ban on sale: Authorities may order the withdrawal of the product from the market until compliance is ensured.
Legal liability: The supplier may be held civilly and criminally liable in the event of an accident due to incorrect information in the SDS.
Loss of credibility: Companies that fail to comply with regulations may lose customers and business partners.
To avoid these problems, it is essential to develop customized Safety Data Sheets for each market, ensuring that they fully comply with regulatory requirements.
SDS Xperts
Good Practices in Safety Data Sheet Management
Have a Chemical Inventory
Maintain an inventory of all chemicals on site, including SDS:
• Chemical name/product name
• Supplier/manufacturer information.
• Identifier, i.e. CAS Number.
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Centralize the FDS Source
While it's best practice to assign responsibility to individual areas/departments for managing their own chemical inventory, centralizing the updating and effective management of safety data sheets can save enormous time and resources.
Information Robustness
Incorrect or partial data can be a hindrance in SDS management. Entities often request the exact product name. Any time invested upfront to make the process robust will save time on daily queries.
Obtain SDS from Producers
Even if you are getting your products from a wholesaler or end-user, the product manufacturer is the only source that can guarantee you receive the most recent and up-to-date safety data sheet.
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Extract Relevant Information
Based on your industry, decide which key sections of the SDS you need to extract information from. The key sections for extracting data are Sections 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 14. This information will help you prepare chemical risk assessments.
Register the Origin of the SDS
The most time-consuming part of obtaining SDSs is finding the correct contact or collection method for each producer. Record all the information in detail: email, name, website, etc. This way, the next time you need it, requesting an SDS will be quick and easy.