MSDS vs. SDS: Which is Right for Your Lab?
If your R&D laboratory is working with chemicals, you might be surprised to learn that the paperwork is a potentially bigger safety risk than the chemicals themselves. In regulated industries like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage, and advanced materials, safety data sheets are foundational to daily operations. Yet many labs continue relying on outdated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), unaware that these documents have been officially replaced. Relying on these sheets can lead to incorrect safety protocols and unfortunate accidents.
As of June 2025, there have been at least 91 hazardous chemical incidents across the U.S. When safety data is missing or out of date, labs lose the ability to respond quickly or trace the problem after the fact. That's why modern Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are now required by OSHA and supported by a globally harmonized structure.
Understanding the difference between MSDS vs. SDS is a practical step toward safer, more efficient research. Here's how to evaluate what your lab is using today and what needs to change.
What Are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)?
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a written or printed document that describes the physical and chemical properties of a hazardous chemical. It contains vital information on the chemical's health effects, protective measures, safe handling and storage, spill and leak procedures, and emergency response.
For decades, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) were the standard for documenting chemical safety data in labs and manufacturing environments. Their role was to inform researchers, production teams, and compliance staff about a material's hazards, handling procedures, and emergency response steps.
In the U.S., MSDS was used widely until 2012, when OSHA adopted the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and introduced a new standard: the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Challenges of Using MSDS
Chemical manufacturers or distributors typically produced MSDS without any globally enforced format. Because there was no standardized structure, MSDS could vary significantly based on the supplier, local regulations, or regional practices.
A single chemical might be accompanied by multiple documents with different layouts, terminology, or levels of detail. Some sheets included essential information like first-aid procedures, hazard overviews, and storage guidelines. Others left out critical data such as:
- Chemical composition and ingredients
- Fire-fighting instructions
- Exposure limits or PPE requirements
- Environmental impact data
Even locating the same type of information could require navigating completely different document formats.
Why MSDS Are No Longer Viable
These inconsistencies made MSDS difficult to interpret, audit, or digitize. Labs couldn't reliably:
- Compare safety data across materials
- Integrate MSDS into electronic lab systems like ELNs or LIMS
- Train staff using a consistent reference
Because MSDS isn't aligned with international safety frameworks like GHS, they've become a liability for labs operating under regulatory scrutiny or across borders. While they played an essential role in establishing chemical safety practices, MSDS are no longer suited to the complexity and compliance demands of modern R&D.
What Are Safety Data Sheets (SDS)?
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document that provides standardized information about a chemical substance. It includes details about hazards, handling, storage, exposure controls, and emergency procedures. Every SDS follows a required 16-section format defined by the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), a United Nations framework that standardizes how chemical hazards are classified and communicated.
SDS as a Regulatory Requirement
In 2012, OSHA updated its Hazard Communication Standard to align with the GHS. This made SDS the legally required format for any U.S. workplace that handles hazardous chemicals. The changes addressed major problems with the older MSDS format.
Why SDS Replaced MSDS
MSDS documents were inconsistent in structure and content, which varied widely depending on who created them. That made them hard to follow and nearly impossible to integrate into modern lab systems.
Unlike MSDS, SDS has a globally accepted format with sixteen required sections presented in a specific order. This structure includes key information such as identification, hazard classification, safe handling procedures, emergency response, and regulatory status. Because every SDS uses the same format, labs no longer need to interpret different layouts or terminology depending on the supplier or source.
This consistency makes SDS more practical for real-world lab operations. They serve as the reference point when onboarding new chemicals, training staff, or preparing for inspections. They are also built to work with Scientific Data Management Systems like electronic lab notebooks (ELNs), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and materials informatics platforms.
SDS: The 16 Required Sections
The Safety Data Sheet follows a globally standardized 16-section format established by the United Nations under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Here are the required sections, grouped by function:
Identification & Substance Information
1. Identification – Names the product, the supplier, recommended uses, and emergency contact info.
2. Hazard(s) Identification – Lists the chemical’s hazards along with required label elements like signal words and pictograms.
3. Composition / Information on Ingredients – Provides chemical identity, common names, concentration of ingredients, and any hazardous components or impurities.
Exposure & Emergency Response
4. First-Aid Measures – Describes immediate medical steps to take in case of exposure.
5. Fire-Fighting Measures – Covers how to extinguish the material and any special fire hazards.
6. Accidental Release Measures – Explains how to contain and clean up a spill or leak safely.
Handling & Protection
7. Handling and Storage – Recommends safe handling practices and storage conditions, including incompatibilities.
8. Exposure Controls / Personal Protection – States exposure limits and outlines appropriate engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Chemical Properties & Stability
9. Physical and Chemical Properties – Includes appearance, odor, pH, melting/boiling point, flammability, and other relevant characteristics.
10. Stability and Reactivity – Details chemical stability, conditions to avoid, and materials that may cause a reaction.
Health & Environmental Impact
11. Toxicological Information – Describes health effects, exposure routes, and symptoms.
12. Ecological Information – Explains how the chemical behaves in the environment. (Not enforced by OSHA.)
Disposal, Transport, and Regulations
13. Disposal Considerations – Provides guidance on proper disposal methods, contaminated packaging, and legal restrictions.
14. Transport Information – Identifies transport classifications, UN numbers, hazard labels, and packaging requirements.
15. Regulatory Information – Lists applicable safety, health, and environmental regulations not included elsewhere in the SDS.
Documentation
16. Other Information – Includes preparation or revision dates, source references, and additional notes provided by the supplier.
In the United States, OSHA only enforces the content of Sections 1 through 11 and Section 16. Sections 12 through 15 are still required to appear in the SDS format, but other U.S. agencies regulate their content. These sections are included to meet GHS requirements for international use and to ensure compliance in countries where full implementation is mandatory.
MSDS vs. SDS: Which Is Right for Your Lab?
When considering MSDS vs. SDS, it's critical to remember that both are intended to document chemical safety, but only SDS meets current regulatory and operational standards. Here's a closer look at how MSDS and SDS differ in format, regulatory status, and function in a modern lab environment:
MSDS vs. SDS: What’s Your Lab Using?
If your safety documents are inconsistent in format or missing required sections, you may still be relying on MSDS. Labs using older templates or legacy supplier data often carry over MSDS files without realizing it.
Key signs you should switch to SDS include:
- You're onboarding new materials but lack structured documentation.
- Your documentation creates friction during audits or regulatory reviews.
- Your lab uses digital or AI tools that don't integrate cleanly with legacy formats.
- You collaborate across borders or under multiple compliance regimes.
Why Your Lab Should Fully Transition to SDS
SDS follows a required structure that supports regulatory compliance and makes chemical data easier to manage across systems. Continuing to use MSDS introduces risk and inefficiency, and in regulated environments, it may lead to delays or non-compliance. In the battle of MSDS vs. SDS, the choice is clear: Labs should phase out MSDS entirely and adopt SDS across all workflows.
MSDS vs. SDS vs. Materials Informatics Platforms
Most labs have moved from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to the standardized Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format. However, in many cases, SDS are stored as standalone files and are not linked to the systems used to track or evaluate chemical materials. They may be available but are often separated from the platforms that manage substances or support risk assessments.
Fortunately, materials informatics platforms like MaterialsZone are built to make materials data usable across lab systems. When SDS are managed in these platforms, they aren't treated as separate documents. Each SDS is linked directly to a specific material record. When that material is involved in any lab procedure, the SDS is available alongside it.
These platforms enhance SDS usage with:
- Centralized records systems accessible to R&D, QA, procurement, and compliance teams that remove silos and duplicated effort.
- Integrated access for teams into experimental planning, risk assessment, and AI models for formulation design via smart interfaces.
- A visible portfolio that identifies missing materials information.
- SOC 2 Type II compliance that ensures high standards for data security and controlled access to safety documentation.
- Using SDS data to flag potential regulatory concerns and recommend safer material options.
Go Beyond MSDS vs. SDS to Improve Chemical Safety
When it comes to chemical safety documentation, the MSDS vs SDS distinction matters. SDS is now the required standard. Continuing to use MSDS introduces unnecessary risk and keeps labs out of step with regulatory expectations. It also creates friction across safety, regulatory, and operational systems. SDS improves structure and consistency, but its impact depends on how the data is used inside the lab.
MaterialsZone integrates SDS into the systems labs use to manage materials. It keeps each document connected to the chemical it describes and makes it available during routine lab activity. The platform also flags missing documentation and helps teams identify safety or compliance issues before they escalate. Instead of managing SDS manually, labs can maintain up-to-date records without extra effort.
Request a demo to see how MaterialsZone improves chemical safety workflows in real R&D lab environments.
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