Chemical classification
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document produced in alignment with the UN’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) that the manufacturer, importer, or distributor of a chemical product is required to provide to downstream users. An SDS needs to have a specific 16-section format, and the process of creating a properly formatted SDS is known as SDS authoring.
The purpose of an SDS is to ensure that all workers who handle chemicals have the hazard information they need to safely use, handle and store them. The Eurofins network of companies in Malaysia able to assist our clients in preparing a SDS to a chemical recipient for each hazardous chemical supplied and any chemical mixture containing hazardous substance and compile information relating to hazardous chemical substance and/or mixture in accordance with the format and requirements as specified in Part 3 of “Industry Code of Practice on Chemicals Classification and Hazard Communication 2014” – sub-regulation 13 (1, 2 & 3), CLASS 2013.
Chemical classification is the process of grouping chemicals based on their physical and chemical properties, as well as their potential hazards. This process is essential for identifying and managing the risks associated with the use, transport, and storage of chemicals. It also plays a crucial role in the development of safety measures and regulations for the handling of chemicals.
There are several different systems for chemical classification, each with its own set of criteria and guidelines. One of the most widely used systems is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Developed by the United Nations, the GHS provides a consistent and standardized approach to chemical classification, making it easier for manufacturers, distributors, and users to understand the hazards associated with different chemicals.
The GHS classification system is based on the evaluation of the physical and health hazards of a chemical. Physical hazards include properties such as flammability, reactivity, and explosiveness, while health hazards include the potential for acute and chronic toxicity, as well as the potential for other types of harm such as skin irritation or sensitization. Chemicals are then classified into one or more hazard classes and assigned specific hazard statements and pictograms to indicate the level of hazard.
The GHS also includes provisions for the classification of mixtures, which are defined as any combination of two or more substances. Mixtures can be classified based on the hazards of their individual components, taking into account any interactions that may occur between them.
In addition to the GHS, other systems for chemical classification are also in use. For example, the European Union has its own system for classifying chemicals, known as the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. This system is based on the GHS, but with some additional requirements and variations.
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