MSDS Certificate (Safety Data Sheet) for Chemicals and Products
An MSDS, now usually called a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is the 16-section document that tells buyers, carriers and customs how to handle your product safely. Manufacturers and importers of listed hazardous chemicals need one under the MSIHC Rules, 1989, and shipping lines ask for it before accepting cargo. We arrange it, check it and keep it current.
What it is
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a technical document about one chemical or mixture. It says what is in the product, how it can cause harm, and how to store, ship and clean it up. Its newer name is Safety Data Sheet (SDS), with 16 sections under the UN Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Here is the catch: people ask for an “MSDS certificate”, but no government office issues one. In India, Rule 17 of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 (MSIHC Rules) requires occupiers handling listed hazardous chemicals to obtain or develop a safety data sheet as specified in Schedule 9. They must keep it available on request.
Who it applies to
Manufacturers of chemicals and mixtures
Paints, adhesives, solvents and dyes. If your plant handles a chemical listed under the MSIHC Rules, the safety data sheet is a legal duty.
Importers of hazardous chemicals
Rule 18 of the MSIHC Rules asks importers to give the authorities complete product safety information at the time of import or within 30 days. The SDS from your overseas supplier is the starting point.
Exporters and their freight agents
Carriers and foreign buyers use the SDS to decide whether cargo is dangerous goods. A Faridabad paint exporter booking a first container usually hears this from the freight forwarder before anything else.
Why it matters
Cargo moves without hold-ups
Section 14 of an SDS gives transport information: UN number, hazard class and packing group where they apply. Carriers book your shipment based on it.
Customs gets clear answers
Under CBIC Circular 15/2023-Customs, importers of many goods in Chapters 28, 29, 32, 38 and 39 declare the IUPAC name and CAS number of constituents. Your SDS holds both.
Workers stay safe
First-aid steps, protective equipment and storage rules sit on one sheet that everyone on the floor can follow.
Documents required
About the product
- Full composition with CAS numbers and percentage ranges
- Product name, grade and intended use
- Existing SDS or technical data sheet, if any
- Supplier SDS for each raw material
Test data
- Physical and chemical properties: flash point, pH, density, boiling point
- Any toxicity or ecotoxicity reports you hold
- Fresh lab reports, where data is missing
About your business
- Name, address and emergency phone number for Section 1
- Import Export Code (IEC), if you trade across borders
- Destination country, and your RCMC from CHEMEXCIL if you export chemicals
What the 16 sections cover
| Sections | What they say |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Identification of the product and supplier, hazard identification, and composition or ingredients |
| 4–6 | First-aid measures, fire-fighting measures and accidental release measures |
| 7–8 | Handling and storage, exposure controls and personal protection |
| 9–11 | Physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity, toxicological information |
| 12–15 | Ecological information, disposal considerations, transport information and regulatory information |
| 16 | Other information, including the date of preparation or last revision |
How it works
Gather the formula and existing data
We collect your formulation, raw-material SDSs and test reports, then list the gaps. Picture a Ballabgarh adhesive unit that has bought solvents for years: the supplier SDSs on file already hold much of the composition data.
Arrange testing where data is missing
If flash point or other properties are not on record, we coordinate testing with an accredited laboratory. The lab runs the tests and signs the report; we do not.
Get the SDS prepared in GHS format
A qualified SDS author classifies the product and drafts all 16 sections, in the format your buyer or destination country expects.
Match it to your shipping papers
We check the product name, HS code and transport details against your invoice, packing list and labels. In practice, a mismatch here, such as a trade name on the invoice and a chemical name on the SDS, is a common reason shipments stall.
Revise it when things change
New formula, new supplier or new rule? We get the SDS revised and the date updated.
Timelines
Have it ready before booking
Carriers want the SDS at booking, and lab tests take time. Start when the order is confirmed.
Within 30 days of import
Under Rule 18(2) of the MSIHC Rules, importers of listed hazardous chemicals give the authorities product safety information at the time of import or within 30 days.
Whenever new hazard data appears
Rule 17(3) asks that significant new information on hazards be added to the safety data sheet as soon as practicable.
What happens if the SDS is missing or wrong
Shipments get stuck
A carrier can refuse to load cargo when the SDS is missing, outdated or does not match the declared goods.
Customs raises queries
From 1 July 2026, CBIC Circular 24/2026-Customs requires hazardous cargo in its annexure to be declared item by item in the Bill of Entry. Weak safety data invites queries and delay.
Penalty under environment law
The MSIHC Rules are made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Section 15 of that Act allows a penalty of ₹10,000 up to ₹15 lakh, plus up to ₹10,000 a day while the breach continues.
Frequently asked questions
Is an MSDS certificate issued by the government?
No, no government office issues an MSDS or SDS. It is a technical document prepared by or for the manufacturer or supplier, based on the product’s composition and test data. Rule 17 of the MSIHC Rules, 1989 puts the duty on the occupier to obtain or develop it in the Schedule 9 format. What buyers call a certificate is a properly prepared, dated SDS, backed by lab reports where needed. We help you put that together.
What is the difference between MSDS and SDS?
They are the same document under two names. MSDS is the older term; SDS is the name used under the UN Globally Harmonized System (GHS), which fixes 16 sections in a set order. Indian law, in the MSIHC Rules, still uses “safety data sheet” and “material safety data sheet”. Most buyers and carriers now expect the 16-section GHS layout, so that is what we arrange.
Do non-hazardous products need an SDS?
Often yes, in practice. The legal duty under the MSIHC Rules covers listed hazardous chemicals. But carriers and foreign buyers often ask for one to confirm a product is not dangerous goods. In that case, Section 14 states that the product is not regulated for transport. Having that sheet ready avoids a last-minute scramble at the port.
How long does it take to get an SDS prepared?
It depends mainly on whether test data already exists. When the full composition and property data are on hand, drafting and review move quickly. If properties such as flash point have to be tested, add the laboratory’s turnaround time. Once we see your data, we give you a realistic date to plan the shipment around.
Is there an expiry date on an SDS?
Indian law does not fix a validity period. Rule 17(3) of the MSIHC Rules instead requires significant new hazard information to be added as soon as practicable. Buyers still prefer a recent revision, so review it whenever the formula, a supplier or the rules change. Then the sheet stays accurate.
Can we use our overseas supplier’s SDS when importing?
Yes, as a starting point. Rule 18 of the MSIHC Rules asks importers of listed hazardous chemicals to give complete product safety information within 30 days of import, and the supplier’s SDS usually supplies most of it. Check that it names your Indian company and gives a local emergency number. We review the supplier’s sheet and point out what needs adding.
What does customs look for in chemical imports?
Clear chemical identity and hazard status. Under CBIC Circular 15/2023-Customs, importers declare the IUPAC name and CAS number of constituents for many goods in Chapters 28, 29, 32, 38 and 39. Circular 24/2026-Customs adds item-level declaration of hazardous cargo in the Bill of Entry for the goods it lists. A sound SDS gives you those details in one place.
Does Taxhint test the product itself?
No, we do not run a laboratory. Testing is done by an accredited lab, and the SDS is drafted by a qualified author. Our role is to collect your data, coordinate the lab and the author, check the SDS against your trade paperwork and keep it updated. You deal with one point of contact throughout.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
There is no government fee for an SDS itself. If lab tests are needed, the laboratory bills for them separately, and we share that quote before any work starts.
Ready to begin?
Send us your product name and composition, and we will get a 16-section SDS ready before your next shipment.