What must be disclosed on an MSDS if the chemical has been accepted as a trade secret?

Section 26 of the Controlled Products Regulations states what must be disclosed on an MSDS when the chemical formula is accepted as “trade secret”.

(1) A supplier who, pursuant to subsection 11(1) of the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act, files a claim for exemption from a requirement to disclose information in respect of a controlled product on a MSDS or on a label shall, in respect of the sale or importation of the controlled product or any controlled product having the same product identifier, disclose on the MSDS and, where applicable, on the label of the controlled product or container in which the controlled product is packaged the date that the claim for exemption was filed and the registry number assigned to the claim under the HMIRA.

(2) The requirements of subsection (1) apply in respect of a supplier who receives notice of a decision that the claim for exemption is valid
(a) if there is no appeal of the decision under subsection 20(1) of the HMIRA for a period not exceeding 30 days after the expiry of the appeal period; and
(b) if there is an appeal of the decision under subsection 20(1) of the HMIRA, for a period not exceeding 30 days after the expiry of all periods for the making of an appeal or an application for judicial review in respect of the decision on appeal.

How to author a GHS MSDS?

MSDS usually referred in the GHS regulation as SDS (Safety Data Sheet) should be prepared for all substances and mixtures which meet the harmonized criteria for physical, health or environmental hazards under the GHS and for all mixtures which contain ingredients that meet the criteria for carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction or target organ toxicity in concentrations exceeding the cut-off limits.

The writer of the SDS needs to keep in mind that an SDS must inform its audience of the hazards of a substance or a mixture and provide information on the safe storage, handling and disposal of the substance or a mixture. An SDS contains information on the potential health effects of exposure and how to work safely with the substances or mixtures. When writing the SDS, information should be present in a consistent and complete form, with the workplace audience firmly in mind. However, it should be considered that all or part of the SDS can be used to inform workers, employers, health and safety professionals, emergency personnel, relevant government agencies, etc.

Language used in the SDS should be simple, clear and precise; vague and misleading expressions should not be used. If it is stated that a particular hazard does not exist, the SDS should clearly differentiate between cases where no information is available to the classifier and cases where negative test results are available.

The data of issue of the SDS should be stated and be very apparent. The data of issue is the data the SDS version was made public. Revised SDS’s should clearly state the date of issue as well as a version number, revision number, or some other indication of what version is replaced.

For further information on GHS MSDS, visit www.nexreg.com

What are the WHMIS classifications, and their symbols?

There are 6 different WHMIS classifications, which are depicted by classes A through F. Several of these have multiple sections and subsections. They are as follows:

Class A. Compressed Gas
Materials which are normally gases, contained under pressure.

Class B. Flammable/Combustible Material
Flammable materials burn at temperatures below 37.8 °C (100°F). Combustible materials burn at temperatures of 37.8°C–93.3°C (100°F–200°F). Reactive flammable materials spontaneously combust when combined with air/water, or react with air/water to make flammable gases.
B1. Flammable Gases
B2. Flammable Liquids
B3. Combustible Liquids
B4. Flammable Solids
B5. Flammable Aerosols
B6. Reactive Flammable Materials

Class C. Oxidizing Material
Contributes to the combustion of another material by producing oxygen or another oxidizing agent,regardless of whether the material itself is combustible;
or the material is an organic peroxide that contains the bivalent O-O structure.

Class D. Poisonous and Infectious Material
Class D1. Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects
Effects to health are usually fast-acting, but can also be long-term.
D1A. Very Toxic Material
D1B. Toxic Material
Class D2. Materials Causing other Toxic Effects
Effects are usually slow acting and may be temporary.
D2A. Very Toxic Material
D2B. Toxic Material
Class D3. Biohazardous Infectious Materials
An organism that causes disease in humans and animals.

Class E. Corrosive Material
Causes severe burns to human tissue, and other materials including metals.

Class F. Dangerously Reactive Material
A material that undergoes vigorous polymerization, decomposition or condensation; reacts with water to release a toxic gas; or self-reacts under shock, increased pressure or temperature.