This practice was developed at the request of the General Services Administration of the United States government. It is intended to provide guidance and assistance to anyone charged with the responsibility of creating or reviewing material safety data sheets (MSDS) for accuracy. Such sheets are required of any vendor who provides goods or services which may be hazardous in any way. This guide is not a legal document and does not purport to officially represent the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hazard Communication Standard, requirements of EPA (Environmental Protection Agency's Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act), the laws of any state or municipality, or the laws of any foreign nation.

1.1 This practice describes how to prepare the information on hazardous materials as required for employee safety and health programs. This practice also provides information on what data are required for the safe handling, storage, use, transportation, and environmentally acceptable disposal of these materials.