What Does MSDS Stand for

What Does MSDS Stand for?

When importing DG cargo from China, freight forwarders will always ask you to provide an MSDS sheet. This article is written to help you learn more about MSDS.

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) is a technical document that provides detailed information about hazardous ingredients in products. It is a necessary document for the export or import of DG cargo and provides crucial information on how to store, ship, and respond effectively in case of an emergency, ensuring safe transportation.

Initially, MSDS was used for chemical products like sulfuric acid, but it is now required for other finished products and chemical mixtures like cosmetics. GHS (Global Harmonized System) has adjusted standards and renamed it to SDS to cover a wider range of products. Therefore, in simpler terms, MSDS and SDS are essentially the same documents, just with different names.

As buyers, you also need to know:

The United Kingdom and all European Union member states only accept Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
China and most developed countries, such as the United States, Australia, and Canada, accept both SDS and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Saudi Arabia, Iran, and some African countries, such as Kenya, have not yet adopted SDS regulations. Therefore, it is acceptable to provide MSDS. However, regulations may change in the future. Please remember to check the latest regulations before shipping.

When do you need Material Safety Data Sheet?

DG cargo usually requires MSDS, but now it’s also necessary for common commodities containing dangerous ingredients. Below are some common products that require MSDS:

1. Cosmetics

Skincare and makeup products, such as lip gloss, nail polish, and perfume, contain highly inflammable ingredients.

2. Products involving batteries

Lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries, NiMH batteries, sodium-sulfur batteries, and solar batteries are involved, such as balancing scooters and digital cameras.

Dry batteries like Alkaline batteries, Zn-Mn batteries, and Carbon-Zinc batteries usually don’t require MSDS, but button cell batteries need it.

3. Stationery

Pencils, ballpoint pens, ink, glue and correction fluids, etc., contain toxic ingredients.

4. Toys

Common toys include plasticine, magnetic blocks, bubble solution, sticky toys, etc., and need to be checked for excess hazardous ingredients.

5. Daily commodities

Hand sanitizers, essential oil, mosquito coils, glass, fire extinguishers, and leatherette sofa, etc., contain flammable ingredients.

6. Plastic products

Plastic products made of PP, PE, ABS, PET, PVC, etc., such as PVC shoes and gloves.

7. Chemical products

Paint, printing ink, petrol, lubricants, paraffin, alcohol, and adhesives, etc.

8. Minerals and metals

Stainless steel, magnets, metal alloy, and alloy powder, iron ore, ceramics, ore powder, and limestone, etc.

9. Others

Food additives, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.

What’s the purpose of MSDS？

If you plan to import the products listed above, it’s important to have an MSDS document for shipping purposes. This is because:

Freight forwarders require an MSDS document in order to arrange shipments.
Customs officers may request an MSDS for inspection and customs clearance.
Staff throughout the shipping process need the MSDS to ensure your goods are processed safely and correctly.
In the event of packing damage or leakage, having an MSDS allows for proper emergency measures to be taken, preventing serious consequences.

MSDS sample and info covered (16 sections)

The format of MSDS documents may appear unfamiliar at first glance, but they effectively cover all the necessary points for inspection. Typically, they comprise 16 sections. Please see the first page below for reference.

16 sections of the Material Safety Data Sheet

1. Product Identification

Section 1 identifies the product name and CAS-No, which is an international ID number for dangerous ingredients in your goods. This helps select shipping modes and relevant files.

2. Hazard Identification

Section 2 shows cargo labels, which are required when shipping dangerous and chemical products. Customs checks these labels for compliance.

3. Composition/Information on Ingredients

Ingredients must be provided when booking space, particularly when the content of a hazardous ingredient exceeds the relevant cut-off value, usually 0.1% or 1% depending on hazards. For example, a carcinogen must be disclosed in SDSs if its concentration is above or equal to 0.1%.

4. First Aid Measures

5. Fire Fighting Measures

6. Accidental Release Measures

7. Handling and Storage

Section 7 provides necessary information about security considerations, storage conditions, and general instructions for workers.

8. Exposure Control/Personal Protection

This section explains precautions and methods for personal protection when manufacturing, storing, carrying, and using goods containing dangerous ingredients.

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

This section provides information about the flash point, which freight forwarders need to provide when filling out DG charts.

10. Stability and Reactivity

11. Toxicology Information

12. Ecological Information

13. Disposal Considerations

14. Transportation Information

Section 14 includes important information about UN No. and DG cargo classifications for transporting products.

15. Regulatory Information

16. Other Information

Pay attention to sections 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 14, which relate to shipping. These sections provide additional explanations about these points.

Most countries, including China, the UK, and all EU members, follow 16 sections compliant with ISO. In America, there are two standards: 16 sections regulated by ANSI or 8 sections required by OSHA. Additionally, Canada follows 9 sections required by WHMIS.

How to get MSDS sheets?

As buyers, you can directly contact your suppliers for the MSDS certificate. The supplier will handle it for you.

In general, suppliers have to contact a professional and reliable third-party testing company to prepare one for your goods. Normally, documents of chemical ingredients and their proportion are needed for analysis. For some unique goods, it may require a sample to test in the lab. And the document always needs a week to be finished. As for the cost, it depends on the specific inspection institution and the tested product.

MSDS validity

There is often confusion about how long an MSDS remains valid. It is not determined by the date it was issued or revised, and there is no set expiration period. The validity of an MSDS only applies to the specific product it was created for, unless any of the following occur:

The product has new ingredients added or its ratios change, which requires a new MSDS to be created.
Regulations around MSDS change, which may necessitate a new MSDS.
New information becomes available about ingredients involved in the product. For instance, if an ingredient that was previously not considered harmful is found to be a carcinogen, the classification and labels of the product would need to be updated accordingly.

The End

I hope this blog post has helped you gain a better understanding of MSDS and how to use it. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

At Onestopimport, we are a leading sourcing company in China that has already helped numerous clients purchase high-quality commodities at competitive prices. Whether you’re sourcing DG cargo or general products that contain hazardous materials, we can assist you in obtaining a variety of certificates, including MSDS, and we can also handle the shipping of your products directly to your location. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more.

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