Safety data sheets

1. What is the required language for safety data sheets (SDS)?
   SDSs should be in Icelandic or English.
    
   SDSs in English must include information on Icelandic emergency response in section 1.4. Emergency responses regarding chemicals is operated by the Poison Centre at the University Hospital of Iceland. The Poison Centre may be contacted through the phone number +354 543 2222.
    
2. Is it necessary to send SDS to the Environment Agency?
   No, not if you are placing it on the market. Only during enforcement activities might the Agency ask for a copy of a SDS.
    
   However, information for the purpose of emergency health response should be submitted (for example by SDS) to the Poison Centre at the University Hospital of Iceland.
    
3. When should SDSs be provided?
   SDSs should be provided to downstream users for:
   1. A substance or mixture that is classified as hazardous according to CLP.
   2. A substance that is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and bioaccumulative (vPvB), or
   3. A substance that is included in the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs).
       
      For mixtures which are not classified as hazardous but contain certain hazardous substances, an SDS should be provided if requested by downstream users or distributors.
      Suppliers must provide updated or revised SDSs to everyone they have supplied the product to in the last 12 months.
       
4. When should SDSs be updated?
   Suppliers must update the SDS without delay when:
   1. New information becomes available concerning the hazards posed by the substance/mixture or the measures to be taken to control risks during use.
   2. When authorisation for a specific substance in the products has been granted or denied.
   3. When retrictions have been put in place regarding a substance in the product.
       
      All updated/revised SDSs must contain information about the date of the update/revision and must clearly state all information that has been added, deleted or reformed (for example in section 16 of the SDS).
       
5. Do I need to provide REACH registration number?
   Distributors/formulators can truncate the registration number (omit the last four digits) of their suppliers' registration numbers in the SDS in accordance with points 1.1 and 3.2.4 of Annex II of REACH. Full registration numbers must be made available upon request for enforcement purposes to relevant enforcement agencies.
    
6. What rules apply for the format and content of SDSs?
   Information in SDSs must be accurate, intelligible and relevant to the substance/mixture in question. SDSs must be in accordance with the provisions of Annex II to the REACH regulation (current version can be found in Regulation (EU) 2020/878). All pages should be numbered.
    
7. When a company wishes to provide information for substances and mixtures for which no safety data sheet (SDS) is required, can they use the SDS format?

Yes, the SDS format can be used. Suppliers, who do not have to supply an SDS may be obliged to provide certain information in accordance with Article 32 of the REACH Regulation or they may chose to provide a SDS on a voluntary basis. They may use the SDS format to provide such information. In such cases, it is recommended that it is clearly stated that the SDS is not provided pursuant to Article 31 of REACH, but to facilitate the communication of information. 

For further information and guidance on the compilation of SDSs see ECHA‘s website.