Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are the backbone of workplace chemical safety communication. OSHA standardized the 16-section SDS format to align with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), ensuring consistency across industries, regions, and supply chains. This standardization protects emergency responders, EHS teams, and businesses of all sizes by creating predictable, reliable hazard communication. 

The format distinguishes between mandatory sections (1–11 and 16) that OSHA enforces, and informational sections (12–15) that follow UN GHS guidelines. Understanding this hierarchy is critical for compliance and effectiveness. 

What Is OSHA’s 16-Section SDS Format? 

The 16-section structure mirrors the GHS international standard, creating a universal language for hazard communication. Each section is deliberately ordered to guide users from identification through disposal, ensuring information flows logically during emergencies and routine operations. 

Why the standardized order matters: 

• Emergency responders can locate critical information instantly 

• Users trained on one SDS format can navigate any SDS confidently 

• Chemical incompatibilities and exposure routes are organized predictably 

Common misconceptions: 

• Some businesses believe all 16 sections must contain detailed information (false—some sections may state “not applicable”) 

• Others think Sections 12–15 is optional to provide (they’re not included in OSHA enforcement, but many industries require them) 

• Many believe the SDS format changed recently (it’s been mandatory since 2015 under OSHA’s GHS Alignment) 

 

The 16 Sections: What OSHA Requires 

Section-by-Section Breakdown 

Section 1: Identification 

• What OSHA requires: Product name(s), product identifier (trade name or chemical name), manufacturer/supplier details (name, address, phone, emergency number), and recommended uses with restrictions. 

• Common errors: Missing emergency phone numbers, inconsistent product naming across departments, incomplete supplier contact information. 

• Why it matters: During emergencies, responders need immediate access to supplier contact details and product verification. 

Section 2: Hazard Identification 

• What OSHA requires: All hazard classes and categories per GHS, pictograms, signal words (“Danger” for severe hazards, “Warning” for less severe), hazard statements, and precautionary statements (P-codes). 

• Why this section causes confusion: It’s where abstract GHS categories translate into real-world meaning. A product marked “Acute Tox. 4” (Acute Toxicity Category 4) requires a different PPE than “Acute Tox. 1.” 

• Common errors: Missing pictograms, vague hazard descriptions, or outdated classifications from pre-GHS SDSs still in circulation. 

Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients 

• What OSHA requires: Exact chemical identity (IUPAC name or trade name), CAS number, and concentration range (threshold above 1% for non-hazardous, 0.1% for carcinogens/mutagens/reproductives). 

• Real-world problem: Ingredients listed vaguely as “proprietary mixture” without identifying hazardous components, or concentrations listed as broad ranges rather than precise percentages. 

• Trade secret allowances: Manufacturers may withhold specific chemical identity if genuinely proprietary but must still provide hazard information and precautionary measures. 

 Section 4: First-Aid Measures 

What OSHA requires: Symptoms (acute and delayed), immediate first-aid instructions by route of exposure (inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion), and guidance on seeking medical attention. 

Critical misconceptions: 

• Using water to wash chemical burns when water is contraindicated 

• Inducing vomiting for ingestion (modern protocols rarely recommend this) 

• Removing contaminated clothing without showering first 

Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures 

What OSHA requires: Suitable and unsuitable extinguishing media, hazards during fire (toxic gases, pressure build-up, explosions), and special protective equipment firefighters need beyond standard gear. 

Why it matters: Using the wrong extinguishing agent can accelerate combustion or create toxic byproducts. 

Section 6: Accidental Release Measures 

• What OSHA requires: Containment procedures, cleanup methods, required PPE, and environmental precautions (preventing runoff into waterways, soil contamination). 

• Everyday mistakes: Sweeping dry powder chemicals (creating airborne hazards), mixing incompatible chemicals during cleanup, or disposing spill cleanup residue improperly. 

Section 7: Handling & Storage 

• What OSHA requires: Safe handling conditions (ventilation needs, static electricity precautions, container compatibility), storage temperature ranges, segregation rules (incompatible chemical separation), and compatibility information. 

• Warehouse errors: Storing oxidizers near flammables, exceeding temperature limits, or stacking containers beyond rated weight capacity. 

Section 8: Exposure Controls/Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) 

• What OSHA requires: OSHA PELs, Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), biological limit values, and engineering controls (ventilation, fume hoods, local exhaust systems). PPE breakdown: glove material and thickness, respirator type (if required), eye protection, and body protection. 

• Critical issue: Outdated exposure limits in SDSs older than 5 years; OSHA has updated many PELs, and facilities must verify current limits independently. 

Section 9: Physical & Chemical Properties 

• What OSHA requires: Appearance, odor, pH, melting/freezing point, flash point, vapor pressure, density, solubility, and other relevant data. 

• Why these matter: Flash point predicts fire risk; vapor pressure indicates inhalation hazard; solubility determines cleanup methods. 

Section 10: Stability & Reactivity 

What OSHA requires: Stability under normal conditions, incompatible substances (what chemicals to never mix), conditions to avoid (heat, shock, moisture), and decomposition products that appear during fire or heat exposure. 

Section 11: Toxicological Information 

• What OSHA requires: Routes of exposure, acute vs. chronic health effects, LD50/LC50 values (lethal dose/concentration data), and information on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity. 

• Common problem: Many SDSs contain outdated toxicology data; manufacturers rarely update this section unless new studies emerge or regulations change. 

Sections 12–15: Informational (Non-Mandatory for OSHA) 

While OSHA doesn’t enforce these sections, many industries require them: 

• Section 12 (Ecological): Environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, aquatic toxicity 

• Section 13 (Disposal): Proper waste disposal per EPA and local regulations; real-world error is mixing flammable waste with general trash 

• Section 14 (Transport): UN number, DOT/IMDG/IATA classifications, packing group; incorrect labels during shipping cause regulatory violations 

• Section 15 (Regulatory): Federal, state, and industry-specific regulations (SARA, TSCA, state-level requirements) 

Section 16: Other Information 

• What OSHA requires: Revision history showing preparation date, latest revision date, and document version number. 

• Why accuracy matters: Outdated SDSs (more than 5 years old) may reflect superseded hazard classifications or regulatory changes. 

 

Mandatory vs. Non-Mandatory Sections: What OSHA Enforces 

• OSHA enforces Sections 1–11 and 16; These sections must be present and accurate; missing or incomplete information triggers compliance violations. 

• Sections 12–15 are informational only; OSHA does not require these, but they align with UN GHS standards. Many multinational companies, exporters, and regulated industries (pharmaceuticals, chemicals) include them for completeness and market access. 

Common Compliance Failures 

How Software Ensures SDS Compliance 

Modern EHS platforms automate compliance through: 

• Auto-checking: Flagging missing sections or incomplete fields before publication 

• Version control: Tracking SDS revisions and preventing outdated documents from circulating 

• Multi-department accessibility: Centralizing SDSs so EHS, procurement, and operations use identical versions 

• Regulatory updates: Alerting facilities when new hazard classifications or PELs are published 

 

Compliance Checklist: What Your SDSs Must Contain 

• All 16 sections present (Sections 1–11 and 16 are mandatory) 

• GHS-compliant pictograms on Section 2 

• Hazard statements and P-codes (precautionary statements) 

• Exact chemical names with CAS numbers 

• Emergency contact number in Section 1 

• Current OSHA PELs in Section 8 

• Revision date within last 5 years 

• Consistent product naming across all sections 

• PPE specifications (material, thickness, type) 

• Fire-fighting media clearly marked (suitable and unsuitable) 

Conclusion 

The 16-section SDS format is non-negotiable for OSHA compliance and workplace safety. Standardization ensures emergency responders locate critical information instantly, and workers receive consistent, reliable hazard guidance regardless of supplier or industry. 

The most effective compliance strategy combines regular SDS audits with centralized, software-supported management. Organizations that maintain accurate, current SDS collections respond faster to incidents, reduce worker exposure, and demonstrate OSHA compliance during inspections. Begin auditing your SDS collection today—outdated documents are a liability, not just a paperwork issue.