What Are The Differences Between A GHS SDS And A MSDS?

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) has developed a standard for the creation of safety data sheets (SDS) to be used once the GHS system is adopted globally. Currently, there are many systems in place to guide the authoring of material safety data sheets (MSDS) including ISO, ANSI, OSHA and MSDS for different jurisdictions. GHS plans to merge all of these different regulations into one international system to create a safer environment for chemical use.

One difference between the GHS SDS and another form of a MSDS is that GHS SDSs require you to use their product identifier, hazard statements and pictograms to demonstrate the hazards, where another MSDS will use the symbols and statements from their regulations.

Another difference is that GHS SDSs will follow a strict 16-section layout. Currently, most MSDSs can range from nine sections to sixteen depending on the authoring party.

Because an MSDS does not have as strict of a format as the GHS SDS, authors are free to use the same format as the GHS SDS, so they may appear alike. WHMIS MSDSs, for example, also use a 16-section format. Each section has the same data so a WHMIS MSDS may look very similar to a GHS SDS, however, the symbols and product identifier will still vary between the two.