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Mick Noonan  
#1 Posted : 08 January 2014 12:22:06(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Mick Noonan

I have a contractor (no names) who has a chemical product that they want to use. They have provided an SDS, however it's not the EU format. We are trying to track it down through the manufacturer/distributer but this is proving difficult. Clearly the product has come from outside the EU, hence the "foreign" SDS format, but I'm surprised that I'm finding it so hard to get it.

On-line search found the "foreign" SDS easily, but could not find EU version. Contact with ROI & UK manufacturer/supplier has yielded replies of "leave it with me...".

Has anyone else experienced this, or have experience of the consequences of not providing the EU SDS? It's always been my understanding that you could not sell a product/chemical within the EU without providing the EU format SDS.
Jane Blunt  
#2 Posted : 08 January 2014 12:32:16(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

Surely the most important question is whether the user of the substance has enough information on the hazards of the substance in order to be able to do an effective risk assessment and devise a suitably safe system of work.

What sort of substances are we talking about?
Frank Hallett  
#3 Posted : 08 January 2014 12:32:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Frank Hallett

hi Mick

If the SDS is not in the REACH Reg 5 format it isn't legal - however, there continue to be a worryingly large number of non-Reg 5 formats provided!!!

To safeguard youself you should reject both the substance and SDS on your site. Also, it's the contractors problem, not yours.

Frank Hallett
Kate.  
#4 Posted : 08 January 2014 12:36:38(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Kate.

I have also had this problem.

It's not straightforward to relate OSHA hazard descriptions to familiar EU ones as they use a completely different classification system. It may well be possible to scrape all the information together by referring to other sources of information but why should we have to do this, when there is a legal requirement for imported hazardous substances to have an EU data sheet?

So I think it it is right to demand an EU version
Mick Noonan  
#5 Posted : 08 January 2014 13:38:52(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Mick Noonan

Firstly, thanks for your posts on this.

The chemical is an adhesive, I don't want to go into any more detail than that. The company profile (of the manufacturer) would suggest that an EU format SDS should not be a major problem, however, right now it is. I'm hanging onto the possibility that they do have it and I just need to dig deep enough.

The SDS format I have is Australian and while I'm sure the EU one wouldn't be significantly different I wouldn't be 100% happy to proceed with it.

Mick
safetyamateur  
#6 Posted : 08 January 2014 13:39:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
safetyamateur

Mick, is this product to be used on a job within the EU?

If so, how has it been brought in?
Mick Noonan  
#7 Posted : 08 January 2014 14:13:42(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Mick Noonan

Yes, it will be used in Ireland. As I said earlier it's an adhesive and, from the information I have, it's no more hazardous than the alternatives.

I don't know how it was brought in. There is no reason to question how it was imported.

My working theory is that there is an EU format SDS somewhere, their just not used to being asked for it. So, I'm pressing them to get it.
safetyamateur  
#8 Posted : 08 January 2014 15:26:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
safetyamateur

With you, Mick, but just seems strange they're not using a product which is freely available in country of use. Would ease my mind if it was patently deemed fit for sale in my country.
John J  
#9 Posted : 08 January 2014 16:17:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
John J

Apologies if I'm being a bit thick but I thought that if it was supplied to at least one supplier before 2010 the SDS could remain until 2015?
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