New EU safety data sheet requirements: Transition period confirmed

SDS compiled in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 can continue to be used until 31 December 2022

The European Chemicals Agency ECHA published last December 2020 the fourth version of its Guidance on the compilation of safety data sheets according to the new harmonized notification system, which entered into force last January 1, 2021. The document aims to help users comply with their obligations under the REACH Regulation, and the main novelty introduced in the latest version is that the transition period in the application of the new Regulation (EU) 2020/878 is officially confirmed, as stated in section 1.3.:

“In accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2020/878, safety data sheets compiled in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/830, can continue to be used until 31 December 2022. This is without prejudice to the obligation to update the safety data sheets in accordance with Article 31(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, and to the cases where the Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is added to safety data sheets as provided for in section 5 of Part A of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP).”

In other words, until December 31, 2022, all safety data sheets provided after January 1, 2021, including new and updated safety data sheets, can be provided in the current format according to the Regulation ( EU) 2015/830 or in the new format according to Regulation (EU) 2020/878 indistinctly.

In addition to this point, the update V.4. includes indications to meet the new requirements of the revised Annex II, including modifications to the following points:

• •Nanoforms (various sections)
• •Inclusion of the unique formula identifier or UFI code in section 1.1
• •Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet (SDS Section 1.3)
• •Endocrine disrupting properties (Sections 2.3, 11 and 12)
• •The specific concentration limit, the M-factor and the acute toxicity estimate (SDS Sections 3.1 and 3.2)
• •An expansion of SDS Section 9: Physical and chemical properties, in line with the GHS
• •An update of SDS Section 14: Transport information
• •Application of the transition period (Art 2 of Regulation (EU) 2020/878)

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