A Safety Data Sheet (SDS), previously called a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is a document provided by the product manufacturer or distributor that contains important information such as the :

  • product ingredients

  • health warnings and hazards

  • environmental hazards

  • protective measures

  • safety precautions for handling

  • storing the products, and

  • transporting the cosmetic or chemical.

SDS are important documents in the safe supply, handling and use of chemicals. They help ensure that those who use chemicals in the workplace use them safely without risk of harm to users or the environment.

SDS are required by the UK REACH Regulation, EU REACH Regulation and in the US, the OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200). This means that your nail product supplier has a legal requirement to provide the SDS - although some have been known to try to refuse.

Since 1 June 2015, the old MSDS format was phased out and the new SDS became the legally required document format. From my experience, if a brand still provides you with a MSDS document, then this is a good indication that the product is Made in PRC (China) as few gel factories there have changed to the SDS format.

A SDS documents contains 16 separate sections and is less ambiguous than MSDS, as specific information must be provided. These 16 sections are listed here:

  1. Identification

  2. Hazard(s) Identification

  3. Composition/Information on Ingredients

  4. First-Aid Measures

  5. Fire-Fighting Measures

  6. Accidental Release Measures

  7. Handling and Storage

  8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

  9. Physical and Chemical Properties

  10. Stability and Reactivity

  11. Toxicological Information

  12. Ecological Information (non-mandatory)

  13. Disposal Considerations (non-mandatory)

  14. Transport Information (non-mandatory)

  15. Regulatory Information (non-mandatory)

  16. Other Information