How to Prepare a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for a Synthesized Chemical 

If synthesizing a hazardous chemical, the PI or manager must generate a Globally Harmonized

System (GHS) compliant label and SDS before shipping or transporting the chemical away from the
campus. Use the SDS template to make a GHS compliant SDS. Don’t forget to add these chemicals to
MyChem and attach your SDS.

The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and
environmental hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and
transporting the chemical. The person preparing the SDS must ensure the information accurately
reflects the scientific evidence used in making the hazard determination. 

For solutions or mixtures of chemicals it is best practice to list 100% of the ingredients, regardless if
they are hazardous or not. It is required to list: 
 All hazardous components that constitute greater than 1% of the chemical 
 All carcinogens that constitute greater than 0.1% of the chemical 

The attached SDS template is based on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
hazard communication standard WAC 296-901-14028 Appendix D-Safety data sheets, and can be
used to prepare an SDS for synthesized chemicals. The SDS must include the information specified
in Appendix D, Table D.1, under the section number and items indicated in the attached (in red
italics) for sections 1-11 and 16. If no relevant information is found for any given item within a
section, the SDS must clearly indicate that no applicable information is available. Sections 12-15 may
be included in the SDS, but are not mandatory. 

When SDS is completed delete the instructions in red italics. 

In addition to the SDS, chemical containers must be labeled according to WAC 296-901-14026
Appendix C-Allocation of label elements. 
 
Contact EH&S at ehsdept@uw.edu or 206-543-7388 for assistance or questions in preparing a Safety
Data Sheet.  
 
References: 
WAC 296-901 Hazard Communication 
WAC 296-901-14026 Appendix C-Allocation of label elements 
WAC 296-901-14028 Appendix D-Safety data sheets 
OSHA document Hazard Communication, Classification Guidance for Manufacturers, Importers, and
Employers
 SAFETY DATA SHEET
Section 1: Identification
(a) Product identifier used on the label
(b) Other means of identification
(c) Recommended use of the chemical and restrictions on use
(d) Name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party
(e) Emergency phone number

Product Name:      

Chemical Name/Synonyms:      
Company: University of Washington, Department:      

In emergency call 911.

For information about this SDS, use this department contact phone#:

Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification

See https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/safety-center/globally-harmonized.html for a list of hazard
classifications, signal words, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, and a
description of hazards.
(a) Classification of the chemical in accordance with WAC 296-901-14008
(b) Signal word(s), hazard statement(s); symbol(s) and precautionary statement(s) in accordance with WAC 296-901-
14012. (Hazard symbols may be provided as graphical reproductions in black and white or the name of the symbol,
e.g., flame, skull and crossbones)
(c) Describe any hazards not otherwise classified that have been identified during the classification process
(d) Where an ingredient with unknown acute toxicity is used in a mixture at a concentration ≥ 1% and the mixture is not
classified based on testing of the mixture as a whole, a statement that X% of the mixture consists of ingredient(s) of
unknown acute toxicity is required

Hazard Classification:      

Signal Word(s):      
Hazard Statements:      
Pictograms:       Delete pictograms that don’t apply!

Precautionary Statements:      

Description of other hazards:      

Section 3: Composition/ Information on Ingredients

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Except as provided for in WAC 296-901-14018 on trade secrets:
For Substances
(a) Chemical name
(b) Common name and synonyms
(c) CAS number and other unique identifiers
(d) Impurities and stabilizing additives which are themselves classified and which contribute to the classification of the
substance
For Mixtures
In addition to the information required for substances:
(a) The chemical name and concentration (exact percentage) or
concentration ranges of all ingredients which are classified as health hazards in accordance with WAC 296-901-14008
and
(1) are present above their cut-off/concentration limits; or
(2) present a health risk below the cut-off/concentration limits.
(b) The concentration (exact percentage) must be specified unless a trade secret claim is made in accordance with WAC
296-901-14018, when there is batch-to-batch variability in the production of a mixture, or for a group of substantially
similar mixtures (See WAC 296-901-14022 (A.0.5.1.2)) with similar chemical composition. In these cases, concentration
ranges may be used.
For All Chemicals Where a Trade Secret is Claimed
Where a trade secret is claimed in accordance with WAC 296-901-14018, a statement that the specific chemical identity
and/or exact percentage (concentration) of composition has been withheld as a trade secret is required .
Chemical Name Synonym CAS# Conc.
           

           

           

Section 4: First-Aid Measures

(a) Description of necessary measures, subdivided according to the different routes of exposure, i.e., inhalation, skin and
eye contact, and ingestion
(b) Most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed
(c) Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary

After skin contact:      

After eye contact:      
After inhalation:      
After swallowing:      

Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures

(a) Suitable (and unsuitable) extinguishing media
(b) Specific hazards arising from the chemical (e.g., nature of any hazardous combustion products)
(c) Special protective equipment and precautions for fire-fighters

Suitable extinguishing agents:      

Special protective equipment for firefighters:      

3
 Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
(a) Personal precautions, protective equipment, and emergency procedures
(b) Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up

Personal precautions:      

Measures for environmental protection:      
Measures for cleaning/collecting:      

Section 7: Handling and Storage

(a) Precautions for safe handling
(b) Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Handling:      
Storage:      

Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

(a) DOSH permissible exposure limit (PEL), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
Threshold Limit Value (TLV), and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer,
importer, or employer preparing the safety data sheet, where available
(b) Appropriate engineering controls
(c) Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment

Chemical Name OSHA PEL OSHA PEL (ceiling) ACGIH OEL (TWA) ACGIH OEL (STEL)

General protective and hygienic measures:      

Breathing equipment:      
Protection of hands:      
Eye protection:      

Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties

(a) Appearance (physical state, color, etc.)
(b) Odor
(c) Odor threshold
(d) pH
(e) Melting point/freezing point
(f) Initial boiling point and boiling range
(g) Flash point
(h) Evaporation rate
(i) Flammability (solid, gas)
(j) Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
(k) Vapor pressure
(l) Vapor density
(m) Relative density
(n) Solubility(ies)
(o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water

4
(p) Auto-ignition temperature
(q) Decomposition temperature
(r) Viscosity

Form:      
Odor:      
Odor threshold:      
pH:      
Melting point/melting range:      
Boiling point/boiling range:      
Flash point:      
Evaporation rate:      
Flammability:      
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits:      
Auto ignition temperature:      
Danger of explosion:      
Vapor pressure:      
Vapor density:      
Relative density:      
Solubility in/Miscibility with water:      

Section 10: Stability and Reactivity

(a) Reactivity
(b) Chemical stability
(c) Possibility of hazardous reactions
(d) Conditions to avoid (e.g., static discharge, shock, or vibration)
(e) Incompatible materials
(f) Hazardous decomposition products

Reactivity:      
Chemical stability:      
Conditions to avoid:      
Incompatible materials:      
Hazardous decomposition products:      

Section 11: Toxicological Information

Description of the various toxicological (health) effects and the available data used to identify those effects, including:
(a) Information on the likely routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion,
skin and eye contact)
(b) Symptoms related to the physical, chemical and toxicological
Characteristics
(c) Delayed and immediate effects and also chronic effects from short and long-term exposure
(d) Numerical measures of toxicity (such as acute toxicity estimates)
(e) Whether the hazardous chemical is listed in the National
Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Carcinogens (latest edition) or has been found to be a potential carcinogen in the
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs (latest edition), or by
DOSH

Acute toxicity:      

5
Potential routes of exposure/potential health effects
Skin:      
Eye:      
Inhalation:      
Ingestion:      
Carcinogenic effects:      
Mutagenic effects:      
Reproductive toxicity:      
Sensitization:      
Target organs:      

Section 12: Ecological Information (non-mandatory)

(a) Ecotoxicity (aquatic and terrestrial, where available)
(b) Persistence and degradability
(c) Bioaccumulative potential
(d) Mobility in soil
(e) Other adverse effects (such as hazardous to the ozone layer)

Ecotoxicity:      
Mobility:      
Biodegradation:      
Bioaccumulation:      

Section 13: Disposal Considerations (non-mandatory)

Description of waste residues and information on their safe handling
and methods of disposal, including the disposal of any contaminated
packaging
     

Section 14: Transport Information (non-mandatory)

(a) UN number
(b) UN proper shipping name
(c) Transport hazard class(es)
(d) Packing group, if applicable
(e) Environmental hazards (e.g., Marine pollutant (Yes/No));
(f) Transport in bulk (according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code)
(g) Special precautions which a user needs to be aware of, or needs to comply with, in connection with transport or
conveyance either within or outside their premises

DOT regulations:      

 Hazard class:      
 Land transport ADR/RID (cross-border):      
 ADR/RID class:      
 Maritime transport IMDG:      
Air transport ICAO-TI and IATA-DGR:      
 ICAO/IATA Class:      

6
 Section 15: Regulatory Information (non-mandatory)
Safety, health and environmental regulations specific for the product in question

US Federal Regulations
SARA Section 355 (extremely hazardous substances):      
SARA Section 313 (specific toxic chemical listings):      
Clean Air Act, Section 112 Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs):      
TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act):      

Section 16: Other Information

The date of preparation of the SDS or the last change to it

SDS date of preparation/update: