Typical national regulations for safety data sheets in Germany

When preparing safety data sheets, not only the language has to be localised, but also relevant national regulations for safety data sheets have to be addressed.

The REACH Regulation, Annex II, only indicates in general terms, that national laws have to be mentioned, including regulations relevant to the substance or mixture. But which national legal areas actually concern hazardous substances? Which sources of information can you use?

Information on national regulations for safety data sheets

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) already gives a selection of national regulations in its guidance on the preparation of safety data sheets (version 3.1, chapter 15.1) and shows an exemplary presentation for section 15 in the safety data sheet.

From the national level, the technical rules for hazardous substances (TRGS) can be used as a reference, which can be found on the website of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (ger. Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin – BAuA). TRGS 220 is particularly worth mentioning here.

Hazardous substances regulations from the German jurisdiction

The following are some typical national regulations that are relevant for an SDS creator in any case. Depending on the substance or mixture and the intended use, further specific regulations may apply.

Handling and storage

TRGS 510 deals with the storage of hazardous substances in portable containers. Substances/mixtures can have an assignment to a storage class, which you can specify either in section 7.2 of German safety data sheets or in section 15 of national regulations.

Protection of minors, maternity protection

The relevant legislations are:

• Act on the Protection of Young People at Work (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz – JArbSchG).
• Law for the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training and in Studies (Mutterschutzgesetz – MuSchG)

Water hazard class (ger. Wassergefährdungsklasse)

As part of the handling of substances hazardous to water, the water hazard class exists in Germany. An indication of the corresponding class or the information “not hazardous to water” is expected.

Information on the Major Accidents Ordinance (ger. Störfall-Verordnung)

Legal basis: Twelfth Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (ger. Zwölfte Verordnung zur Durchführung des Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetzes). Indication of the hazard classification under major accident law, if the Major Accidents Ordinance applies.

Sources:

Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation), consolidated version of 02.03.2017

Guidance on the compilation of safety data sheets, version 3.1 (German language), European Chemicals Agency 2015, ISBN 978-92-9247-514-7

Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) 220, as of 23.03.2017

Internet presence of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health