When is a safety data sheet required, for whom and in which language?

Which products need one

• Substances and mixtures that meet the criteria for classification as hazardous under the CLP Regulation
• Substances that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB)
• Substances on the candidate list of substances of very high concern, the list established under Article 59(1)
• On request: certain mixtures that are not classified but contain hazardous substances above set concentrations (Article 31(3))

Format and language

Annex II to REACH, as replaced by Regulation (EU) 2020/878, sets 16 sections, from identification of the product and the supplier to other information. That version has applied since 1 January 2021; the transition ended on 31 December 2022. New at the time were details on nanoforms and endocrine disrupting properties, and the unique formula identifier (UFI) where one exists.

The language follows the country where the product is placed on the market: an official language of that Member State, unless the Member State provides otherwise (Article 31(5)). If you supply Austria, Germany, Italy and France, you need the data sheet in German, Italian and French.

Who writes it

Annex II requires a competent person to prepare the data sheet. Many smaller manufacturers have a service provider write it, or take the data sheet of their own supplier and add their details. You stay responsible for providing it and passing it on. How to supply it is covered in the guide on safety data sheet requirements.

Frequently asked questions