Are you planning to start making candles at home? Or are you planning to establish yourself as a DIY cosmetics maker? Before you start selling your products, you need to take care of a number of issues, especially of a legal nature. One of these includes the need to produce a special SDS - what does this mean? What is an SDS and why is it so important? We hope the following article will clear up your doubts.
What is an SDS?
A safety data sheet is a collection of key information about a product, mixture or chemical. The purpose of the document is to provide the user with guidance on potential hazards arising from the use of the products. The data it contains is intended to set out rules for the safe handling of the product in hazardous situations. In this way, the risks arising from improper handling of the products covered by the charter can be minimised.
The first distributor to place a product on the market is generally responsible for creating and updating the safety data sheet. This is most often the manufacturer or importer, although there are times when this responsibility falls on the sole representative. However, the regulations take into account the supply chain. As a result, the SDS is the responsibility of each supplier at a certain stage of the sale. Thus, its data must be entered in this document.
Which products must have an SDS?
The obligation to have an SDS arises from legislation. The relevant regulations specify which products must have one. This applies primarily to substances with potential hazards that are included in the classification of the CLP Regulation, i.e. have a pictogram or a warning slogan. This list also includes products that:
- deemed unsafe,
- consist of hazardous substances,
- contain substances on the candidate list, which is subject to an authorisation procedure.
The SDS must therefore have, for example, products such as candles, fragrance oils or air fresheners.
What must the SDS safety data sheet contain?
In Poland and most countries around the world, the format of safety data sheets is similar. The document is divided into 16 sections, which must contain all the information specified by law. Importantly, its structure cannot be modified. All sections must be completed.
The safety data sheet must meet certain requirements. It should be written in clear language so that its content is understandable to any user. In addition, its volume must be appropriate to the potential risk posed by the substance in question, as well as to the information available. It is imperative that the content of the document is adapted to the legislation in force in the country concerned. It should be drafted in the official language of the country in which it is made available.
We hope you already know what an SDS is. If you are involved in the creation of candles and other products based on semi-finished products available in our e-shop, we can prepare one for you. Our services include the creation of the full package of necessary documentation. Interested? Contact us - we can help!
