Chemical Safety · Guide

What Is an SDS/MSDS? How to Read a Safety Data Sheet

What an SDS/MSDS contains, why you need one, and how to quickly read the sections that matter most.

When you receive a shipment of chemicals, it usually comes with a multi-page document packed with technical details and warnings. That document is the SDS, also known as the MSDS. It is not paperwork for its own sake: it is the most reliable source for knowing how hazardous a chemical is, how to protect yourself and what to do in an emergency.

Mục lục

What are an SDS and an MSDS?

SDS stands for Safety Data Sheet. MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet, the older name for the same kind of document. It is prepared by the manufacturer or supplier and summarizes the hazards, safe handling, storage, emergency response and disposal of a chemical.

SDS versus MSDS

In essence, the two names refer to the same document. The difference is that older MSDSs had no standard format, and each issuer laid them out differently. The SDS follows the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) and always has 16 sections in a fixed order. Many companies still say MSDS, but SDS is the current standard.

Why do you need an SDS?

Know the hazards — flammable, corrosive, toxic or environmentally harmful properties are clearly stated.

Protect workers — identify the right protective equipment, ventilation and precautions.

Respond quickly to incidents — know first aid, firefighting and spill response when you need them.

Meet regulations — hazardous chemicals must have a safety data sheet when sold, transported and used.

Trade formalities — customs, shipping lines and customers often ask for an SDS when chemicals are imported and transported.

The 16 sections of a standard SDS

No.	Section	What you learn
1	Identification of the chemical and supplier	Product name, CAS number, emergency contact
2	Hazard identification	Hazard classification, pictograms, signal word, hazard statements
3	Composition and ingredients	Substances in the product and their concentration
4	First-aid measures	What to do after inhalation, skin contact, eye contact or ingestion
5	Firefighting measures	Suitable extinguishing media and fire hazards
6	Accidental release measures	How to contain, collect and clean up safely
7	Handling and storage	Storage conditions and incompatible materials
8	Exposure controls, personal protection	Exposure limits, gloves, goggles, respirators
9	Physical and chemical properties	State, flash point, boiling point, solubility
10	Stability and reactivity	Conditions to avoid, incompatible substances
11	Toxicological information	Health effects of exposure
12	Ecological information	Impact on water and soil
13	Disposal considerations	How to dispose of the chemical and its packaging
14	Transport information	Dangerous-goods classification, UN number where applicable
15	Regulatory information	Regulations that apply to the chemical
16	Other information	Date of preparation, revisions, notes

How to read an SDS quickly

You do not need to read all 16 sections every time. For people who handle chemicals on the shop floor, prioritize these:

Section 2 — check the hazard level, pictograms and signal word first.

Section 4 — learn the first-aid steps so you can brief your workers.

Sections 7 and 8 — know how to store the chemical and what protective gear to provide.

Section 9 — compare the flash point and properties with your warehouse and workshop conditions.

Sections 13 and 14 — for the environmental and logistics teams handling waste and transport.

Pictograms and signal words in Section 2

GHS uses red-bordered diamond pictograms, such as a flame for flammable substances, an exclamation mark for irritants and a corrosion symbol for strong acids and bases. These come with a signal word: "Danger" for more severe hazards and "Warning" for less severe ones, along with statements describing the hazard and the precautions to take.

How does an SDS differ from a COA and a TDS?

Document	Main content	Question it answers
SDS	Hazards, safety, storage, emergency response	Is this chemical dangerous, and how do I use it safely?
COA	Analysis results for each batch	Does this lot meet the specifications?
TDS	Technical specifications and applications	What is this product for, and what are its properties?

The three documents complement each other. The SDS covers safety, the COA covers the quality of each batch, and the TDS covers the technical characteristics of the product. When buying, ask for all three.

Who must provide an SDS, and when?

The manufacturer or supplier is responsible for providing the SDS to the buyer, at least with the first delivery and whenever important updates are made. In Vietnam, hazardous chemicals must have a chemical safety data sheet when traded, transported and used under the prevailing chemical regulations, and a Vietnamese-language version is generally expected. Companies should check the latest legislation when applying this.

Common mistakes with SDSs

A sheet exists but nobody reads it — it sits in a file while workers on the floor do not know what it says.

Using the SDS of another product — each product, each manufacturer and sometimes each grade has its own SDS. Do not mix them.

An outdated sheet — information may lag behind new classifications or regulations. Ask for a current version.

No Vietnamese version — workers who cannot read English or Chinese will not understand the warnings.

Sheets kept out of reach — in an incident, nobody can find the sheet when it is needed.

Managing SDSs in your company

Keep a chemical inventory — one SDS for each chemical, with the receiving date and version recorded.

Keep sheets within easy reach — in the warehouse and production area, plus a digital copy for quick lookup.

Brief your workers — short training on the key sections, especially first aid and protection.

Update regularly — request new versions from suppliers when anything changes and withdraw old ones.

For general principles of working safely with chemicals, see our article Safe Use of Chemicals in Production (Vietnamese).

Frequently asked questions

Are MSDS and SDS the same?

Both refer to a chemical safety data sheet. MSDS is the older name with no standard format, while SDS is the GHS-based version with 16 fixed sections.

Should I ask for an SDS when buying chemicals?

Yes. An SDS lets you know the hazards, storage and incident response before the goods arrive. Hazardous chemicals also need an SDS for transport and formalities.

Is an SDS a quality certificate?

No. The SDS is about safety. The quality of a batch is shown in the COA.

Do food chemicals need an SDS?

Yes. Even if used in food, a substance can still cause harm on direct contact in its raw form, for example a concentrated acid, so an SDS is still needed for safe handling.

Where do I get an SDS?

From the supplier or manufacturer of the exact product you buy. CHEINGAR-CHEM provides an SDS and COA for each product on request.

Need an SDS, COA or chemical advice?

Contact CHEINGAR-CHEM CO., LTD for technical documents, a quotation and a sample for each product.

Product is being updated:

What Is an SDS/MSDS? How to Read a Safety Data Sheet

Categories Product