Safety data sheets worldwide
SDS / MSDS / GHS Building Block ApproachThe UN GHS allows countries to decide individually which GHS hazard classes or hazard categories are selected for a country or region as a classification and labelling basis. This approach is often referred to as the "GHS Building Block Approach".
In the EU, some elements have been omitted but instead, for example, additional labelling elements (EUH phrases) have been taken over from previous legislation that are not part of the UN GHS. Depending on the national implementation of the UN GHS, this may result in differences in the classification and labelling of products and thus also in the safety data sheets.
SDS "Safety Data Sheets" (old: MSDS) can be commissioned for a wide range of countries and regions worldwide. Depending on the country and region, they can be data sheets according to European CLP or the respective national implementation of the UN GHS:
- Europe - Non EU Member States
- North America
- Central and South America
- Asia
- Oceania
- Middle East
The UN GHS is regularly updated and adapted in the light of new knowledge and experience. The relevant updates are implemented in the national standards.
Various links are available on the website of the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe):
- About the GHS
A brief overview of the history of GHS development - GHS pictograms
The official pictograms can be downloaded in different formats - Current GHS
Previous versions can also be retrieved.
The freely accessible working documents and protocols of the GHS Committee provide information on current developments and discussion bases. They are available under the menu items
"GHS Sub Committee" and "Committee of Experts on TDG and GHS" on the website of the UNECE.
National Inventories
Similar to the European EINECS/ ELINCS inventories, different countries have their own national inventories listing the substances that are authorised in their respective countries.
Here is a brief overview of the most important inventories:
The chemical inventory of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) contains all existing chemical substances that may be manufactured, processed or imported in the USA. The TSCA chemical inventory identifies chemical substances as "active" or "inactive". As of August 5, 2019, manufacturers and processors must notify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before placing a substance currently classified as inactive in the TSCA inventory back on the market.
In Canada, these substances are on the Domestic Substances List (DSL). In contrast, the Non-Domestic Substances List (NDSL) contains those substances that are on the market in countries outside Canada (e.g. the USA), but not in Canada itself.
Australia provides the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) online, in New Zealand the substances are listed in the New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC).
There is no online portal available in China. The basic publication is constantly being updated and can be accessed as a file.
Chemical Check GmbH will take over the research of the inventory lists of your ingredients for you.
Please contact us!
