SDS (formerly MSDS) Preparation Services: What You Need to Sell Your Products in Canada and the US

Posted August 11, 2020

In Product Safety, SDS: Safety Data Sheets

By: Kirsten Alcock, Manager of Product Safety, email

Safety Data Sheets are a crucial component for health and safety in a workplace within Canada and the US. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and are intended to communicate information regarding health, physical, and environmental effects that could occur during usage, shipping, and handling of the substance or mixture. The detailed information for an SDS is set within a 16-section format and can vary depending on the country of origin. Although the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is the international standard that most countries follow, each country has adopted a different version and has their own unique requirements. I always caution against companies who try to use one SDS worldwide as there are so many differences not only in the GHS version they adopted, but also the idiosyncrasies for their countries. Please note that not all countries have adopted the GHS so ensure that you are meeting the compliance of the country you are selling to.

For SDS authoring that is compliant with Canadian and US requirements, Dell Tech will review and classify your product to the appropriate regulation. This SDS review includes, but is not limited to, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG), Department of Transportation (DOT), International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG), current GHS standards, compliance with CEPA (DSL), TSCA, HMIS/NFPA ratings, State Right to Know Legislation, and California Prop 65. All of these regulations must be looked at to ensure that the SDS you receive has the most up-to-date information for your users.

Dell Tech is unique in our ability to offer a combined SDS that can meet the requirements of both Canada and the US. Both countries require Safety Data Sheets and labels for hazardous products in the workplace. We can provide a separate Canadian SDS, a separate US SDS or one that is combined that contains information for both countries.

Canadian SDSs are required to follow Schedule 1 of the Hazardous Products Regulations (WHMIS 2015) and, by law, they must be in both English and Canadian French.
United States SDSs and labels are required to follow the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012). Appendix D of 1910.1200 provides a detailed description of SDS content requirements as per OSHA.

HOW DELL TECH CAN HELP:

Provide a 16-section SDS, which complies with current GHS standards for Canada (WHMIS 2015).
Provide a 16-section SDS, which complies with current GHS standards for the United States (HCS 2012).
Provide a 16-section SDS, which complies with current GHS standards for Canada and the US (combined).
Provide a complimentary GHS Label which incorporates the appropriate WHMIS or OSHA symbols/pictograms for hazardous products with each SDS.
SDSs can be provided in English/Canadian French and Spanish.
Safety data sheet authoring that is customizable with your own specific logo.

Contact:
Dell Tech
Kirsten Alcock, B.Sc. (Hons)
Manager, Product Safety Group
519-858-5074
kirsten@delltech.com