Top Tips for Safety Data Sheet Translation

Used to label a range of chemicals, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), as they are known in the US, are used worldwide. An essential tool to aid in risk anticipation and to ensure the right precautions and measures are taken in an emergency, SDS are provided alongside all materials classified as hazardous. Due to their importance in ensuring the safety of chemical handlers, SDS are strictly regulated in every country – a factor of crucial importance for the translation of these critical documents.

Read on to find out more about Safety Data Sheets and SDS translation.

What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

When handling chemicals, the hazards and risks must be communicated to ensure the safety of all involved. As such, the United Nations adopted a Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) back in 2003 that is contained in a Safety Data Sheet to communicate the vital information necessary, including:

• the properties of each chemical

• physical, health, and environmental health hazards

• protective measures

• and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting chemicals

The goal of this system is to apply the same set of rules and present the information in the same way across every country worldwide, with this uniformisation guaranteeing increased safety in chemical usage. 

But how does this work for Safety Data Sheet translation?

Translating Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Though SDS contain the same information across different countries, when transferring a chemical from one country to another, this information needs to be translated into the official language(s) of the country in question. However, beyond translating word for word, or concept for concept, SDS translation must comply with all the laws and regulations of the target language countries – a generally very strictly regulated area that can vary significantly across borders, though more substantially between regions. The main standards guiding the production of SDS are the European CLP or UN GHS, which take into account the local legislation. 

How to Translate a Safety Data Sheet

Though the entirety of an SDS will need to be translated, some sections are more critical than others where applicable regulations are concerned. Here are some key areas that require extra attention:

Strictly Regulated Phrases in Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Though information varies between chemicals, the norms and standards drafted for SDS encompass certain information - and the wording of that information - that must be used in each country. As such, strictly regulated phrases apply to 

• Precautionary Statements, 

• Hazard Statements, 

• Hazard Pictograms,

• The names of the SDS sections, 

This means that rather than transferring the information from one language to another, the equivalent information must be gathered from the norms applicable to the target country and inserted where required. When translating a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for use in the EU, translators must refer to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, which provides lists of Hazard and Precautionary Statements, as well as Hazard Pictograms, in all EU languages. Additionally, Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/878, which amends Annex II of the REACH Regulation, specifies the exact names of the 16 mandatory sections of an SDS. This regulation, published on 25 June 2020, aligns SDS requirements with the 6th and 7th revisions of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and has been fully applicable since 1 January 2023.

Beyond translating language, SDS translation involves localising the content to the format and style required for the country in question.

Other sections of SDS that require particular attention

• Section 1 – An emergency telephone number must be provided and localised to the country in question. 

• Sections 8 & 13 – Exposure controls, protection limits, and disposal considerations vary from country to country, so these must be adapted. 

• Section 14 – The shipping name used under transport information must be that determined by the UN.

• Section 15 – Any applicable national laws must be mentioned under “regulatory information”

Diskusija – Your Trusted Safety Data Sheet Translators

Having gained over 30 years of experience in the translation industry, Diskusija is well-versed in the rules and regulations applicable to translating safety data sheets, no matter the country they will be used in. Harnessing extensive experience in the chemical industry, in-depth linguistic knowledge, and the terminological accuracy required to produce compliant translations the first time around, Diskusija is here to help you avoid costly errors and delays.

Want to ensure your SDS meets every regulation? Get in touch.