Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are required by the REACH Regulation and are important documents in the safe supply, handling and use of chemicals. They help ensure that those who use chemicals in the workplace use them safely without risk of harm to users or the environment.Information for consumers is more commonly communicated by labelling attached directly to the product packaging.

Safety Data Sheets must be classified in accordance with the relevant market CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the GB CLP Agency and carries out certain CLP functions previously undertaken by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

You have a legal duty to understand your obligations and duties under GB CLP if you are:

• a GB-based manufacturer, importer, downstream user, or distributor who places chemicals on the GB market (known as a GB-based supplier)

• an NI-based manufacturer, downstream user or distributor who directly supplies chemicals to the GB market (known as an NI-based supplier)

EU Market note - In June 2020, Annex II of REACH, which lays out the requirements for compiling Safety Data Sheets, has been revised by The European Commission by Regulation (EU) 2020/878. If SDS’S are compliant to (EU) 2015/830 they are permissible on the EU market until 31^st December 2022, after which all SDS’s will need to be updated to the new requirements.