In-depth Analysis of Chemical SDS (MSDS), COA, and TDS: Definitions, Differences, and Application Scenarios

Core Definitions and Purposes

1. SDS - Safety Data Sheet

Core Purpose: Ensure safety. It is a mandatory technical document for chemicals classified as hazardous (e.g., flammable, toxic, corrosive). It conveys the hazard information of chemicals, guides staff in safe operation, storage, emergency handling (such as leakage and fire), and disposal of chemicals, and clarifies relevant regulatory responsibilities. Some countries/regions may have minimum information provision requirements (e.g., basic identification, emergency contact) for non-hazardous chemicals, but these chemicals do not need to comply with the mandatory 16-section format of GHS.

Main Content and Format: It adopts the strict 16-section standard format based on the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The order and headings of the sections are unified globally, ensuring that key information can be found quickly and accurately.

The 16 standard sections of GHS are shown in the table below:

Section No.	GHS Standard Section Title	Core Content Description
1	Identification of the Substance/Preparation and of the Company/Undertaking	Product identifiers, detailed supplier information, emergency contact numbers, etc.
2	Hazards Identification	GHS classification, label elements (pictograms, signal words, hazard statements).
3	Composition/Information on Ingredients	Information on chemical components that cause hazards.
4	First-Aid Measures	First-aid guidance specified for different exposure routes.
5	Fire-Fighting Measures	Suitable fire-extinguishing media, special fire hazards, and fire-fighting recommendations.
6	Accidental Release Measures	Personal protection requirements, emergency procedures, and cleanup methods.
7	Handling and Storage	Precautions for safe handling and conditions for safe storage.
8	Exposure Controls/Personal Protection	Exposure limits, engineering controls, and requirements for personal protective equipment.
9	Physical and Chemical Properties	Physicochemical data such as appearance, pH value, melting point, boiling point, and flash point.
10	Stability and Reactivity	Chemical stability, conditions to avoid, and incompatible substances.
11	Toxicological Information	Detailed descriptions and data on health effects via various exposure routes.
12	Ecological Information	Potential environmental impacts, such as ecotoxicity and degradability.
13	Disposal Considerations	Safe disposal methods and special preventive measures.
14	Transport Information	UN number, transport hazard class, packing group, etc.
15	Regulatory Information	Specific safety, health, and environmental regulations not covered elsewhere.
16	Other Information	Preparation and revision details, explanation of abbreviations, and other useful information.

Relationship Between SDS and MSDS

SDS is a standardized and unified upgraded version of MSDS. "MSDS" (Material Safety Data Sheet) is an old general term, and its format and content requirements used to vary due to differences in regulatory systems across countries/regions (e.g., the MSDS formats under the EU’s old REACH Regulation and the US OSHA system each had distinct focuses). With the gradual global implementation of the United Nations’ GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals), SDS (Safety Data Sheet) has become a standardized document that complies with GHS unified standards. In countries/regions where GHS has been implemented, SDS meeting GHS requirements has replaced the previously varied MSDS formats and become the mainstream compliant document for transmitting chemical safety information.

It should be noted that:

1. SDS is only mandatory for chemicals classified as hazardous (e.g., flammable, toxic, corrosive).

2. The progress of GHS adoption and implementation details vary slightly among different countries/regions (e.g., China’s GB/T 24774-2009, EU’s CLP Regulation).

3. Some regions still habitually use the term "MSDS", but the content must comply with the 16-section GHS standard requirements, and there is essentially no difference between such MSDS and SDS.

2. COA - Certificate of Analysis

Core Purpose: To verify quality. It is a certificate of quality compliance for products of a specific production batch, confirming that the batch has undergone testing and meets the predetermined quality standards or specifications.

Main Content: It includes the product name, batch number, production date, validity period, test items, standard requirements, actual test results, and a conclusion on whether the product meets the specified standards. It serves as a "quality check report for products" and features traceability.

Examples of Scenarios Requiring Mandatory COA:

Scenario	Source of Mandatory Requirement	Role of COA
Pharmaceutical Industry	Directly mandated by laws and GMP regulations	Serves as a batch release authorization and an uncompromisable mandatory document in the supply chain.
Cosmetics Industry	Indirectly mandated by product safety regulations	Acts as key evidence for the safety and compliance of raw materials, and a core credential for completing product safety reports and meeting regulatory requirements for raw material quality verification.
Food/Food Additives	Mandated by food safety laws	Certifies the safety and compliance of food ingredients, and serves as proof of fulfilling incoming inspection obligations.
Medical Devices	Mandated by quality management system standards	Ensures the consistency of raw material quality and is an indispensable record for satisfying regulatory audits.
General Chemical Trade	Stipulated in commercial contracts	Verifies that product quality meets procurement specifications and provides the basis for resolving commercial disputes.

3. TDS - Technical Data Sheet

Core Purpose: Guide application. It is a non-mandatory technical marketing and support document designed to provide customers with the product’s technical parameters and application performance data, helping them select, evaluate, and use the product correctly.

Main Content: Includes the product’s physical and chemical properties, technical performance indicators, recommended application fields, usage methods, suggested addition amounts, compatibility, packaging specifications, etc. It is more like a detailed "product technical manual"—its format is not restricted by regulations and is independently designed by the enterprise.

Note 1: A TDS may include physical and chemical properties as well as application data, but it must not replace the hazard information and safety guidance in an SDS. If a TDS mentions "operational precautions," it must clearly state: "Detailed safety requirements can be found in the corresponding SDS document."

Note 2: A TDS can be supplemented with content such as product compatibility cases, reference formulas for typical applications, and reminders of performance changes beyond the storage validity period. This further enhances the practicality of technical support and aligns with customers’ actual application needs.

Core Difference Comparison Table

Dimension	SDS (Safety Data Sheet)	COA (Certificate of Analysis)	TDS (Technical Data Sheet)
Core Purpose	Ensure health, safety, and environmental protection	Verify the quality compliance of a specific batch	Guide technical application and product selection
Regulatory Nature	Mandatory; supervised by GHS and national/international regulations	Directly mandated by laws in the pharmaceutical, food, and medical device sectors; indirectly mandated by regulations (e.g., cosmetics require COAs to prove raw material compliance) or specified in commercial contracts in the cosmetics and general chemical sectors	Non-mandatory; provided voluntarily by enterprises
Content Focus	Chemical hazards and risk control	Quality indicators and specification compliance of a specific batch	Product technical performance and application guidelines
Format Standard	Globally unified and strictly fixed (16 GHS sections)	Semi-standardized (fixed core elements but flexible layout)	No fixed format; independently designed by the enterprise
Key Features	Legal effect; linked to hazard classification	Traceability	Application-oriented; technical support
Main Target Audience	Operators, EHS specialists, transporters, emergency responders, regulatory authorities	Customer’s Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) departments	Customer’s technical personnel, R&D engineers, purchasers, and production operators

Summary of Typical Application Scenarios

1. When hazardous chemical transportation, workplace safety training, or emergency plan formulation is required → Refer to the SDS.

2. When raw materials or products arrive and their quality needs to be verified against procurement specifications → Request and cross-check the COA.

3. When selecting materials for new product R&D or optimizing parameters of existing production processes → Consult the TDS.

4. Collaborative Application Scenario:

For customs clearance of imported chemicals: Both the SDS (for compliance verification) and COA (for quality inspection) must be provided.

For product R&D and selection: Comprehensive judgment is required by combining the TDS (technical performance evaluation) + SDS (safety risk assessment) + COA (batch quality confirmation) to ensure the compliance and applicability of the selected product.

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