Appendix D - 4 ANSI Standard Heading Formats
-- May '97
The standard being developed by the Chemical Manufacturers Association for certification by the American
National Standards Institute provides a logical and internally consistent structure for material safety data
sheets (MSDSs). If the standard is followed, users of the data sheets will always be able to find the
information they need in the same place on every sheet.
The structure is determined by a sequence of four questions for which the MSDS provides answers.
What is the material and what do I need to know immediately in an emergency?
SECTION 1. Chemical Product and Company Identification
Links the MSDS to the material.
Identifies the supplier of the MSDS.
Identifies a source for more information, including emergency information, if available.
SECTION 2. Composition and Information on Ingredients
Lists the Occupational Safety & Health Administration hazardous components.
May also list significant nonhazardous components.
Lists corresponding Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers, where appropriate, for each component.
May include additional information, such as exposure guidelines, about components.
SECTION 3. Hazards Identification
Provides information on the potential adverse health effects and symptoms that might result from reasonably
foreseeable use and misuse of the material.
May provide an emergency overview that describes the material's appearance and severe, immediate health,
physical, and environmental hazards associated with emergency response situations.
What should I do if a hazardous situation occurs?
SECTION 4. First-Aid Measures
Provides easily understandable instructions on what to do when results of exposure require immediate
treatment and when simple measures may be taken before professional medical assistance is available.
Instructions provide for each route of exposure.
May also include instructions to medical professionals.
SECTION 5. Fire-Fighting Measures
Provides basic fire-fighting guidance, including appropriate extinguishing media.
Describes other fire and explosive properties useful for fighting fires involving the material such as flash
points, explosive limits.
SECTION 6. Accidental Release Measures
Describes actions to be taken to minimize the adverse effects of an accidental spill, leak, or release of the
material.
How can I prevent hazardous situations from occurring?
SECTION 7. Handling and Storage
Provides information on appropriate practices for safe handling and storage of the material.
SECTION 8. Exposure Controls-Personal Protection
Provides information on practices and/or equipment useful for minimizing worker exposure.
Provides guidance on personal protection equipment
May also include exposure guidelines.
SECTION 9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Identifies the physical and chemical properties that characterize the material.
SECTION 10. Stability and Reactivity
Describes the conditions that could result in a potentially hazardous chemical reaction.
Is there any other useful information about this material?
SECTION 11. Toxicological Information
May be used to provide information on toxicity testing of the material and/or its components for medical
professionals, occupational safety and health professionals, and toxicologists.
SECTION 12. Ecological Information
May be used to provide information on the effects the material may have on plants, animals, and its
environmental fate.
SECTION 13. Disposal Considerations
May provide information useful to determine appropriate disposal measures.
SECTION 14. Transport Information
May provide basic shipping classification information.
SECTION 15. Regulatory Information
May be used to provide additional information on state, federal, and international regulations affecting the
material or its components.
SECTION 16. Other Information
