1910.1200(g)(2): Required Sections of a Safety Data Sheet
Chemical manufacturers and importers must make sure each safety data sheet is in English and includes at least the 16 listed section numbers and headings, in order, with associated information. Employers may keep copies in other languages as well. OSHA will not enforce information requirements in sections 12 through 15.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1200(g)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $30,587 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (5), OH (2), PA (2).
- Related part: 1910.1200(g) Safety data sheets (4,329 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.1200 Hazard communication, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 16 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) The chemical manufacturer or importer shall ensure that the safety data sheet is in English (although the employer may maintain copies in other languages as well), and includes at least the following section numbers and headings, and associated information under each heading, in the order listed (see appendix D to this section, for the specific content of each section of the safety data sheet): 16 citations
(i) Section 1, Identification; Open (g)(2)(i) 1 citations
(ii) Section 2, Hazard(s) identification; Open (g)(2)(ii) 2 citations
(iii) Section 3, Composition/information on ingredients; Open (g)(2)(iii) 1 citations
(iv) Section 4, First-aid measures;
(v) Section 5, Fire-fighting measures;
(vi) Section 6, Accidental release measures; Open (g)(2)(vi)
(vii) Section 7, Handling and storage;
(viii) Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protection; Open (g)(2)(viii) 1 citations
(ix) Section 9, Physical and chemical properties; 1 citations
(x) Section 10, Stability and reactivity; Open (g)(2)(x) 1 citations
(xi) Section 11, Toxicological information. Open (g)(2)(xi) 1 citations
(xii) Section 12, Ecological information; Open (g)(2)(xii)
(xiii) Section 13, Disposal considerations;
(xiv) Section 14, Transport information;
(xv) Section 15, Regulatory information; and
(xvi) Section 16, Other information, including date of preparation or last revision.
To be consistent with the GHS, an SDS must also include the headings in paragraphs (g)(2)(xii) through (g)(2)(xv) of this section in order.
OSHA will not be enforcing information requirements in sections 12 through 15, as these areas are not under its jurisdiction.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1200.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1200(g)(2).
At 8:15 a.m. on July 3, 2024, Employee #1, Employee #2, and Employee #3 were inserting smoke composition material into aluminum pyrotechnic vessels when an explosion occurred. Employee #1 was fatally injured. Employee #2 was hospitalized, and Employee #3 sustained non-hospitalized injuries. The incident involved…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: TX (5), OH (2), PA (2), IL (1), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL DYNAMICS ORDNANCE AND TACTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. | HAMPTON, AR | $16,131 |
| SIPI METALS CORP. | CHICAGO, IL | $7,500 |
| ADVANCED GRAPHITE POWDERS LLC | PARMA, OH | $3,226 |
| CHEMTRON SUPPLY LLC | CLEVELAND, TN | $2,800 |
| SKYHAWK CHEMICALS INC. | WEBSTER, TX | $930 |
Free toolbox talk
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OSHA interpretation letters
- HCS listing of occupational exposure limits (OELs) in section 8 on a safety data sheet (SDS), and applicability of different exposures to pharmaceutical drugs (2021-03-30)
- Clarification to the disclosure of chemical ingredients in SDS sections 3 and 8 (2020-10-28)
- Hazard Communication Standard – SDS responsible party and hazards not otherwise classified (2018-09-18)
- Separate SDSs and labels for dual components (2017-05-09)
- By-product hazard information included in safety data sheet, Section 2 (2016-05-20)
- The labeling elements required on the safety data sheet (SDS) under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) (2015-10-02)
- Correct use of product identifiers on safety data sheets and labels (2015-06-19)
- The requirement for single or multiple SDSs (2014-12-23)
- Requirements for including a manufacturer's occupational exposure limit (OEL) on a material safety data sheet (MSDS). (2011-04-15)
- Use of physical versus mailing address of the responsible party listed on the MSDS. (2009-08-31)
- Alleged deficiencies on an MSDS for one of Icynene's insulation products. (2009-02-27)
- Alleged deficiencies contained on a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for a spray-on insulation product (the Icynene Insulation System). (2009-01-14)
- Clarification of the requirement to provide accurate and current hazard information on an MSDS. (2008-04-18)
- Use of generic MSDSs written by third-party companies and employer responsiblities when using an online MSDS service. (2007-03-07)
- Responsible party for MSDSs and labelling of imported chemicals. (2000-01-19)
- Hazard Determinations under the HCS for Sodium Hypochlorite. (1991-10-16)
- Interpretation on availability of emergency information under the Hazard Communication Standard. (1986-10-25)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1200(g) Safety data sheets 4,329 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(8) 2,478 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(1) 1,780 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(11) 22 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(10) 18 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(9) 6 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(5) 4 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(7) 3 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(2)(ii) 2 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(6) 2 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(2)(i) 1 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(2)(iii) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What language must an SDS be in?
English, although the employer may maintain copies in other languages as well.
How many sections must an SDS have?
At least 16 sections with the listed headings, in the order listed.
Does OSHA enforce all 16 sections?
OSHA will not enforce information requirements in sections 12 through 15, as those areas are not under its jurisdiction.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.