What does the acronym MSDS stand for?

The acronym MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet. This document plays a crucial role in providing detailed information about substances that may pose a hazard to human health or the environment. An MSDS typically includes information such as physical and chemical properties, potential hazards, safe handling and storage requirements, and emergency response measures.

Understanding the purpose and content of an MSDS is vital for anyone involved in handling hazardous materials, as it helps ensure safety in the workplace and compliance with regulations. The term has now evolved into Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in many parts of the world, following the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classifying and labeling chemicals, but the MSDS format was foundational for conveying essential safety information prior to this standardization.