The purpose of this Standard is to provide:
a common and consistent approach for assessing chemical hazards,
a framework to communicate useful and understandable information on hazardous workplace
chemicals,
an SDS format that will allow inclusion of information to comply with applicable laws, and
guidance for the preparation of precautionary labeling.

This Standard is based on two general principles. Foremost, SDSs and precautionary labeling should
provide sufficient information for the safe handling of the chemical. The precautionary information should
be based on the inherent properties of the chemical and include recommendations on how to avoid
potentially hazardous exposures resulting from customary and reasonably foreseeable occupational use,
misuse, handling and storage.
Second, the precautionary information should neither overstate nor minimize the hazards or precautions
for the chemical. Some chemicals may not be inherently hazardous and do not present a potential for
harm in customary or reasonably foreseeable occupational use, misuse, handling and storage. For these
chemicals, SDSs and precautionary labeling may not be necessary.