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Quick answer
A safety data sheet (SDS) is a standardized 16-section document that the maker, importer or distributor of a hazardous chemical, including most pesticides, must provide to describe its hazards, safe handling, first aid, spill response and storage.
It replaced the older material safety data sheet (MSDS). For a pesticide, the SDS adds detail but never overrides the EPA-accepted label, which stays the legal guide to use.
Quick facts
The key facts about Safety Data Sheet (SDS), with sources:
- Required by
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) 1
- Format
- 16 sections in a fixed order, aligned with the UN GHS 1
- Sections OSHA does not enforce
- 12–15: ecology, disposal, transport, other regulations 1
- Language
- Must be in English; other languages allowed too 1
- Latest HCS update
- Final rule published May 20, 2024; effective July 19, 2024 2
- Pesticide link
- An SDS sent with a pesticide becomes part of its labeling and must not conflict with the label 3
- Signal word
- An SDS signal word may differ from the EPA label’s 3
Key takeaways
- An SDS is a hazard fact sheet in a fixed 16-section format, written mainly for workers and emergency responders.
- OSHA requires it for hazardous chemicals, and the EPA confirms that includes pesticide products.
- For pesticides, the EPA label is the legal guide to use; the SDS adds detail but cannot override it.
- The SDS may show a different signal word than the label, because OSHA uses GHS criteria and the EPA does not.
- Homeowners can ask a pest company or manufacturer for the SDS of any product used at home.
What an SDS contains and who it is for
Think of an SDS as the technical file behind a chemical. Where a product label is short and tells you how to use it, the SDS is long and tells you what the chemical is, how it can hurt you, and what to do in a fire, spill or exposure.
The rule behind it is OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. It requires the chemical manufacturer, distributor or importer to provide an SDS for each hazardous chemical to downstream users 1.
SDSs used to be called MSDSs; the content is largely the same, but since OSHA’s 2012 revision they must follow a consistent 16-section format 1.
The EPA notes OSHA’s standard requires SDSs for pesticide products too 6. Pest control companies keep them for every product their technicians handle, because employers must make SDSs readily accessible to employees 1.
For a homeowner, the SDS is a backup source. It is most useful for spill response, fire hazards and first aid details that do not fit on a small label.
SDS vs label
For a pesticide, the EPA-accepted label sets what is legal. EPA guidance says an SDS distributed with a pesticide becomes part of its labeling, so it must not conflict with the label, or the product could be misbranded 3.
How an SDS is built and passed along
- The maker classifies hazards. The manufacturer or importer judges the chemical’s physical and health hazards under OSHA’s criteria 1.
- It writes the 16 sections. Required minimum content is set in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.1200 1.
- It ships the SDS downstream. Distributors pass it to buyers such as pest control companies 1.
- Employers keep it on hand. In a binder or on a computer, with a backup for power outages 1.
- Users read it when needed. Sections 1–8 give fast, practical information; 9–11 and 16 hold technical data 1.
- It gets revised. Section 16 shows the date it was prepared or last revised 1.
- Manufacturer or importerClassifies hazards; writes the SDS
- DistributorPasses the SDS with the product
- Pest control companyKeeps SDSs accessible to employees
- TechnicianReads it for handling, spills and first aid
- CustomerCan ask for it for products used at home
Source: [1]
The 16 sections of an SDS
| Section | Title | What you find there |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identification | Product name, maker, emergency phone, recommended use and restrictions 1 |
| 2 | Hazard(s) identification | Hazard class, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms 1 |
| 3 | Composition / ingredients | Chemical names, CAS numbers, concentrations or trade-secret note 1 |
| 4 | First-aid measures | First aid by route; key symptoms; need for medical care 1 |
| 5 | Fire-fighting measures | Suitable extinguishers and fire hazards 1 |
| 6 | Accidental release measures | Spill containment and cleanup 1 |
| 7 | Handling and storage | Safe handling and storage conditions 1 |
| 8 | Exposure controls / PPE | Exposure limits, ventilation, protective gear 1 |
| 9–11 | Physical/chemical properties; stability and reactivity; toxicology | Technical data 1 |
| 12–15 | Ecological, disposal, transport, regulatory | Non-mandatory for OSHA enforcement 1 |
| 16 | Other information | Date prepared or last revised 1 |
Example: where to look on an SDS for five common needs
This shows where to look on any pesticide SDS for common questions. It uses OSHA’s section map, not a specific product.
| Your question | Go to section | Also check on the label |
|---|---|---|
| Who made this and who do I call? | 1 – Identification, with an emergency phone 1 | Company name and EPA Reg. No. 5 |
| How dangerous is it? | 2 – Hazard identification 1 | The EPA signal word, which governs the label 4 |
| My child got it on their skin. What now? | 4 – First-aid measures 1 | Label first aid, then call Poison Help 8 |
| I spilled it in the garage. | 6 – Accidental release 1 | Label storage and disposal section 9 |
| Is it flammable? | 5 – Fire-fighting, and 9 – properties 1 | Physical or chemical hazards on the label |
- 16Sections in a fixed order
- 1–8Quick-use information
- 12–15Not enforced by OSHA
Source: [1]
The pattern: use the SDS for detail and the label for what is allowed. If they seem to disagree, follow the label and call the manufacturer.
Where to find the SDS for a pesticide
Most manufacturers post SDSs on their websites, searchable by product name.
Your pest control company is the next stop. Companies must keep SDSs accessible to their workers 1, so they can usually share them with customers on request. Ask for the SDS and label of anything applied at your home. Our pesticide safety guide covers what else to ask.
Some labels carry a scannable code. Under the EPA’s bilingual labeling rules, some non-agricultural, non-restricted pesticide products may meet the Spanish-language requirement by linking to a Spanish SDS through a scannable code or other electronic link on the label 7.
Schools and workplaces also hold them, since employers keep SDS binders or databases for chemicals used on site.
What an SDS does well, and its limits
Strengths
Why the SDS is not the last word on pesticides
For most chemicals, the SDS is the main hazard document. Pesticides are different, because FIFRA puts the EPA label in charge of how a product may be used. The EPA has not adopted GHS for pesticide classification and labeling, and GHS hazard statements and pictograms generally should not appear on U.S. pesticide labels 6.
Two systems describe the same product. OSHA’s SDS uses GHS signal words (DANGER and WARNING). The EPA label uses DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION under its own toxicity categories 34.
EPA guidance (PR Notice 2012-1) recommends that registrants put the FIFRA label hazard information in the SDS with a short explanation of any differences 6.
Trade secrets can also hide exact ingredient identities or percentages, though the SDS must say so 1.
Cost: why there is none to you
An SDS costs a homeowner nothing, because manufacturers publish them and pest companies keep them as part of OSHA compliance. If a company will not share the SDS or label for a product used in your home, treat that as a warning sign when comparing providers.
An SDS has no expiry, but section 16 shows when the SDS was prepared or last revised 1. Ask for the current version when a company changes products. For service pricing, see the pest control cost guide.
How to use an SDS at home
- Get the right one. Match the product name and, for pesticides, the EPA Reg. No. on the label.
- Check the date. Look at section 16 for the revision date 1.
- Read sections 1, 2 and 4 first. Who to call, the main hazards and first aid 1.
- Save it. Keep a copy with your records of what was applied at home.
- Use the label for directions. The SDS does not authorize any use 3.
In an exposure, call first
Call 911 if someone is unconscious, having trouble breathing or having convulsions. Otherwise call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 and have the label and EPA registration number ready 8. The SDS first-aid section can help the poison center, but do not delay the call to find it.
Keeping SDS records current
- Ask your pest company for updated SDSs when it changes products.
- Replace any SDS older than the product you have, if a newer one exists.
- Keep digital copies where you can reach them during a power outage; OSHA advises employers to keep a backup for that reason 1.
- Store SDS copies with product labels or photos of them.
Use the CAS number
Section 3 lists Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers 1. A doctor or poison center can use them to identify ingredients quickly.
SDS red flags when hiring a pest company
- A company that cannot or will not provide an SDS for products it uses.
- An SDS that does not match the product name on the container.
- An SDS with no revision date in section 16 1.
- Anyone citing the SDS to justify using a pesticide in a way the label does not allow 3.
- An SDS only in a language you cannot read; OSHA requires English, and other languages may be added 1.
The rules behind the SDS
OSHA (federal workplace rule). The Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) and Appendix D, sets SDS content and format. OSHA revised it in 2012 to align with the UN Globally Harmonized System 1.
A further final rule was published May 20, 2024 and took effect July 19, 2024, with phased compliance dates that OSHA has since extended; check OSHA for the current dates 2.
EPA (pesticides). Under FIFRA §2(p)(2)(A), an SDS that accompanies a pesticide is labeling. If it conflicts with the EPA-accepted label, the product could be misbranded 3. PR Notice 2012-1 covers how registrants reconcile the two 6.
Bilingual labeling (PRIA 5). Some non-agricultural, non-restricted products may meet the Spanish requirement with a link to a Spanish SDS; deadlines run from December 29, 2026 to December 29, 2030 depending on toxicity 7.
States. States with OSHA-approved plans may add SDS requirements 1. Pest company licensing is state-run; see pest control licensing.
SDS vs pesticide label
| Feature | Safety data sheet | Pesticide label |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | OSHA 1 | EPA under FIFRA 3 |
| Main reader | Workers and responders | Anyone using the product |
| Format | 16 fixed sections 1 | Front and back panel sections 3 |
| Signal words | GHS: DANGER, WARNING 6 | DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION 4 |
| Legal weight for use | Does not authorize use | Binding; misuse is illegal 9 |
| Pictograms | GHS set, e.g. flame, exclamation mark 6 | Skull and crossbones; flame in some cases 6 |
Read the pesticide label page for every label section, and pesticide signal words for the toxicity categories.
Myths about SDSs
- Myth The SDS tells you how to apply a pesticide.
- Reality The EPA label does; an SDS cannot authorize use and must not conflict with the label 3.
- Myth MSDS and SDS are different documents.
- Reality The SDS replaced the MSDS; content is largely the same in a new 16-section format 1.
- Myth If the SDS says WARNING, the label must say WARNING too.
- Reality The two use different criteria, so signal words can differ 3.
- Myth Every section of an SDS is checked by OSHA.
- Reality OSHA does not enforce sections 12–15 1.
- Myth Only businesses can get an SDS.
- Reality Many manufacturers post them publicly, and you can ask your pest company.
How state rules change SDS duties
SDS format is set nationally by OSHA, but states that run OSHA-approved state plans may add requirements for chemical safety data sheets beyond the federal rule 1. State pesticide agencies also license the companies that handle these products.
If you need an SDS for a product used at a school or rental property, the state agency or the company’s license record can help you find who is responsible.
When an SDS matters to you
Ask for the SDS when a product is used inside your home, around children or pets, or by anyone with asthma or chemical sensitivity. Also ask when you store a product yourself, so you know what to do in a spill or fire.
For the question “can I use this here?” go to the label, not the SDS. When choosing a company, ask whether it shares labels and SDSs as a matter of course.
Our guide to choosing a pest control company lists other questions, and the IPM guide shows how to reduce the need for products at all.
Quick decision guide
For spill, fire or exposure details, read SDS sections 4 to 6. For whether you can use it here, and how much, read the label. For products applied at home, ask the company for both.
Questions about Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
What is an SDS for a pesticide?
A pesticide SDS is a 16-section safety data sheet that describes the product’s hazards, ingredients, first aid, fire and spill response, storage and protective gear. OSHA requires it, and the EPA confirms that applies to pesticide products. It adds detail to the label but does not authorize any use; the EPA-accepted label does that.
What is the difference between an SDS and an MSDS?
The SDS replaced the older material safety data sheet (MSDS). OSHA’s 2012 revision of the Hazard Communication Standard kept largely the same information but required a consistent 16-section format aligned with the UN Globally Harmonized System. You may still hear “MSDS,” but current documents should be SDSs.
What are the 16 sections of an SDS?
They are: identification; hazard identification; composition; first aid; fire-fighting; accidental release; handling and storage; exposure controls and PPE; physical and chemical properties; stability and reactivity; toxicology; ecological information; disposal; transport; regulatory information; and other information, which includes the revision date. OSHA does not enforce sections 12 to 15.
Can I ask my exterminator for the SDS?
Yes, pest control companies must keep SDSs accessible to their employees, so they have them on hand. Most will share the SDS and label for any product used at your home. Ask for both, keep copies, and treat a refusal as a reason to compare other companies.
Why does the SDS signal word differ from the label?
Because two agencies use different systems. OSHA’s SDS follows the Globally Harmonized System, which uses DANGER and WARNING. The EPA has not adopted GHS for pesticide labels and uses DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION under its own toxicity categories. For how to use the product, follow the EPA label.
Does an SDS override the pesticide label?
No, EPA guidance says an SDS that accompanies a pesticide is part of its labeling, and if it conflicts with the EPA-accepted label, the product could be considered misbranded. The label is the legal guide to how a pesticide may be used. If the two seem to disagree, follow the label and call the manufacturer.
Where can I find an SDS online?
Search the manufacturer’s website by product name; most post SDSs. For pesticides, match the EPA registration number on your label. Some products now carry a scannable code that links to labeling or, for certain non-agricultural products, a Spanish-language SDS under EPA’s bilingual labeling rules.
What should I read first in an emergency?
Call for help first: 911 for unconsciousness, trouble breathing or convulsions, or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. Then use the label’s first aid section and SDS section 4, first-aid measures. SDS section 3 lists ingredient CAS numbers that a poison center can use. Have the EPA registration number ready.
How often is an SDS updated?
There is no fixed schedule for homeowners to track, but every SDS must show the date it was prepared or last revised in section 16. Makers update SDSs when hazard information or rules change; OSHA updated the standard again in a rule effective July 19, 2024. Ask for the current version.
Sources
- U.S. OSHA, Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets (OSHA 3514 brief), retrieved .
- U.S. OSHA, Hazard Communication rulemaking (2024 final rule), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Label Review Manual, Chapter 3: General Labeling Requirements (March 2018), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Label Review Manual, Chapter 7: Precautionary Statements (March 2018), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Label Review Manual, Chapter 14: Identification Numbers (November 2012), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Pesticide Labels and GHS: Comparison and Samples, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Bilingual Labeling, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, In Case of Pesticide Emergency, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety (August 2017), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyrePest Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: SDS sections, enforcement scope and employer duties follow OSHA brief 3514; 2024 rule dates from OSHA’s rulemaking page (compliance dates not stated because OSHA extended them).
The label–SDS relationship follows EPA Label Review Manual Chapter 3 and EPA’s GHS comparison page. Held until an occupational safety (OSHA HazCom) professional reviews it.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.