• Safety data sheets must follow a standardized, 16-section format.
• Information within each section isn't required to be in any particular order.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that safety data sheets (SDSs) use a standardized, 16-section format. The sections have generally been organized so that the information of most use to exposed workers, emergency responders, and others who do not need extensive technical detail is in the beginning of the SDS, while the more technical information most commonly read by health and safety professionals is located in the later sections. While each section of the SDS must contain all the specified information, it’s not required to be in any particular order within each section.

Sections 1 through 8 contain general information about the chemical, identification, hazards, composition, safe handling practices, and emergency control measures (e.g., firefighting). This should be helpful to those that need to get the information quickly.

Sections 9 through 11 and Section 16 contain other technical and scientific information, such as physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity information, toxicological information, exposure control information, and other information including the date of preparation or last revision.

The SDS must contain headings for Sections 12 through 15, but OSHA will not enforce the content of these sections because they concern matters handled by other agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT).