Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice on preparing safety data sheets: who must prepare an SDS and when, the GHS 7 transition, the Schedule 7 mandatory content, research chemicals and overseas SDS, five-yearly review, ingredient disclosure, generic names and proportions, and what each of the 16 SDS sections should contain, from identification and hazards to transport, regulatory information and revision history.
Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals is a compliance framework from Australia (model code; in force where approved by a Commonwealth, state or territory WHS regulator) with 5 domains and 33 controls. The largest domains are Chapter 3, SDS sections 9 to 16: properties, reactivity, toxicology, ecology, disposal, transport, regulatory and other information – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals (9 controls), Chapter 2: preparing, reviewing and amending an SDS – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals (7 controls), Chapter 3, SDS sections 4 to 8: first aid, firefighting, accidental release, handling and storage, exposure controls – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals (7 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (5)
Chapter 2: preparing, reviewing and amending an SDS – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::2-accuracy | Write the SDS so it accurately describes the chemical's hazards, safe handling, storage and disposal, physical and chemical properties and first aid and emergency response, and include environmental effects |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::2.1-language | Use plain, precise wording, avoid vague or reassuring phrases, explain any missing information and separate 'no data' from 'negative test results' |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::2.1-sched7 | Meet the Schedule 7 essentials: English language, Australian legal units, the review or preparation date, the Australian manufacturer or importer's name, address and business phone, and an Australian emergency phone number |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::2.1-structure | Present all 16 required SDS sections in order, with no blank fields or unexplained abbreviations, a stated version, numbered pages and an end marker, proportionate in length |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::2.2 | For research chemicals, waste products and samples for analysis whose hazards are not fully known, provide at least the reduced Schedule 7 SDS content |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::2.3 | Accept an overseas SDS only if it meets the WHS Regulations; otherwise the importer prepares a compliant Australian SDS after checking every section |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::2.4 | Review each SDS at least every five years, amend it whenever new hazard information or a formulation change arises, and keep it available after the product is withdrawn |
Chapter 3, SDS sections 1 to 3: identification, hazard identification and composition – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s1-contact | Section 1: give the Australian manufacturer or importer's details and an Australian emergency contact available out of hours, confirming any poisons centre arrangement in advance |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s1-identity | Section 1: give the product identifier exactly as on the label (all identifiers for a generic SDS), other identifiers and synonyms, the recommended use and known restrictions on use |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s2 | Section 2: state the full GHS hazard classification, the signal word, hazard and precautionary statements and relevant non-GHS hazard statements, with optional black and white pictograms |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s3-generic | Section 3: use a generic name only for a genuinely confidential ingredient in the listed lower health hazard categories that adds no other class and has no exposure standard, choosing the most specific generic name by the Appendix D method |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s3-identity | Section 3: disclose ingredient chemical identities as Schedule 8 requires, including classification-relevant impurities and stabilisers, and non-hazardous ingredients with an exposure standard above 1% |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s3-proportions | Section 3: disclose ingredient proportions in descending order, using the set confidential ranges only where the exact figure is confidential and preferring narrower ranges, totalling 100% where possible |
Chapter 3, SDS sections 4 to 8: first aid, firefighting, accidental release, handling and storage, exposure controls – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s4 | Section 4: give first aid instructions for each exposure route, the main immediate and delayed symptoms, when medical attention is needed, and any antidotes, facilities and first aider protection |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s5 | Section 5: name suitable and unsuitable extinguishing media, specific fire hazards and combustion products, firefighter precautions and PPE, and the Hazchem Code |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s6 | Section 6: give spill and release advice covering personal protection, ignition control, evacuation, environmental precautions and containment and clean-up methods, distinguishing large and small spills |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s7 | Section 7: state how the chemical can be used safely, practices to avoid, hygiene measures and storage conditions that address incompatibilities, ignition, environmental factors, stabilisers and storage design |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s8-controls | Section 8: specify engineering controls for the intended use, then PPE consistent with the hierarchy of controls, naming the type and material of eye, skin, respiratory and thermal protection |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s8-monitoring | Section 8: describe required biological monitoring and safe biological levels with their source, and give enough context for any control banding recommendation |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s8-standards | Section 8: list the Australian workplace exposure standards (TWA, STEL, peak, notations) for each ingredient and generated contaminant, using recognised overseas limits where none exist |
Chapter 3, SDS sections 9 to 16: properties, reactivity, toxicology, ecology, disposal, transport, regulatory and other information – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s10 | Section 10: describe reactivity, chemical stability and stabilisers, possible hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid, incompatible materials and hazardous decomposition products |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s11-general | Section 11: present toxicological data for each GHS health hazard class in the set order, based on expert advice and consistent with the classification, listing classes with no data as 'not available' |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s11-routes | Section 11: cover every exposure route, early symptoms through to severe effects, delayed and chronic effects, dose and effect levels and interactive effects, flagging animal data and taking a precautionary approach where data are missing |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s12 | Section 12: give ecotoxicity, persistence and degradability, bioaccumulation, soil mobility and other environmental effects for each ingredient where available, with test conditions |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s13 | Section 13: give disposal, recycling and reclamation advice for the chemical and its container, covering containers and methods, properties affecting disposal, sewage effects and incineration or landfill precautions |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s14 | Section 14: give UN number, proper shipping name, transport hazard class, packing group, marine pollutant and environmental hazard status, special precautions and the Hazchem or emergency action code |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s15 | Section 15: identify other regulatory controls on the chemical, including Poisons Standard schedule, carcinogen prohibitions or licensing, AgVet and industrial chemicals listing, and international conventions |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s16 | Section 16: record the date of the latest revision and the changes made, keep an explanation of changes available on request, and give a key to abbreviations and the main data sources |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::s9 | Section 9: give the listed physical and chemical properties for the chemical as supplied, with units, methods and interpretation, stating where data are unavailable rather than leaving blanks or 'N/A' |
Foreword, scope and chapter 1: what an SDS is, who must prepare it and when – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::1.2-prepare | Classify each substance, mixture or article before first supply and, if it is a hazardous chemical, prepare an SDS before first manufacture or import (or as soon as practicable after, and before first supply to a workplace) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::1.2-provide | Give the current SDS to any person likely to be affected by the chemical who asks for it, and limit changes to the SDS to the manufacturer or importer (others may only attach a marked translation) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::1.3 | Prepare an SDS for every hazardous chemical, including consumer products, and (as recommended) for unclassifiable chemicals, mixtures with sensitiser or CMR ingredients and engineered nanomaterials |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals::1.5 | Classify, label and prepare SDS under GHS 7 from 1 January 2023, update SDS for older GHS 3 labelled stock, and supply the updated SDS with that stock |
What is Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals and who does it apply to?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals is a compliance framework from Australia (model code; in force where approved by a Commonwealth, state or territory WHS regulator) with 5 domains and 33 controls. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice on preparing safety data sheets: who must prepare an SDS and when, the GHS 7 transition, the Schedule 7 mandatory content, research chemicals and overseas SDS, five-yearly review, ingredient disclosure, generic names and proportions, and what each of the 16 SDS sections should contain, from identification and hazards to transport, regulatory information and revision history. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals actually require?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals has 33 controls organised across 5 domains. The largest domains are Chapter 3, SDS sections 9 to 16: properties, reactivity, toxicology, ecology, disposal, transport, regulatory and other information – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals (9 controls), Chapter 2: preparing, reviewing and amending an SDS – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals (7 controls), Chapter 3, SDS sections 4 to 8: first aid, firefighting, accidental release, handling and storage, exposure controls – Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals (7 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals do I already cover?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals does not currently have cross-framework mappings in our system. Check back as we continuously expand our mapping database.
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