🇿🇦 SDS (Safety Data Sheet) Preparation & Review Services for South Africa

GHS Rev. 8 (Moving to Rev. 10) and Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA) Regulations

By Zoesoe Exports Pvt Ltd – Your Trusted Regulatory Partner for Chemical Compliance in South Africa

Zoesoe Exports Pvt Ltd offers specialized SDS services meticulously tailored to meet the mandatory requirements of the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA), 2021. These regulations, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, legally enforce the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for substances and mixtures used in the workplace.

Why SDS is Critical in South Africa

South Africa is the most GHS-advanced country in Africa, transitioning rapidly to the latest UN GHS revisions. A compliant SDS is mandatory for:

1. Legal Mandate (HCA Regulations): The HCA Regulations make the preparation and provision of a GHS-compliant SDS mandatory for all manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of hazardous chemical agents.

2. GHS Revision Adoption: South Africa transitioned to GHS Rev. 8 (via SANS 10234 and the HCA Regulations) and is planning a move to GHS Rev. 10 (or later) in the coming years, requiring constant updating.

3. Hazard Communication & Safety: Required for workplace safety, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance, enforced by the Department of Employment and Labour.

A Compliant South Africa SDS must be:

• Format: The internationally recognized 16-section GHS format, generally following the structure of SANS 11014:2010.

• Language: Primarily provided in English.

• Content: Classified according to the GHS Rev. 8 (or later) "building blocks" adopted by the HCA regulations. Note that some GHS categories are specifically excluded (e.g., Flammable Liquids Cat. 4, Acute Toxicity Cat. 5) [Source 2.2, 2.3].

• Emergency Contact: Must include South African emergency contact information available outside of working hours [Source 2.3].

Our SDS Services for South Africa (HCA Compliant)

ServiceDescription & Key Compliance Point1. SDS PreparationComplete 16-section SDS authored to GHS Rev. 8/10 criteria, integrating specific South African Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) in Section 8.2. Review & Gap AnalysisChecks against the HCA Regulations, 2021 to ensure correct use of adopted GHS building blocks and exclusion of non-adopted categories.3. LocalizationEnsures the SDS includes mandatory South African emergency contact information and the correct regulatory references (e.g., HCA Regulations, SANS).4. Label AlignmentPreparation of accompanying GHS Labels aligned with the HCA Regulation's requirements, including specific label size and content rules [Source 2.3].

Industries We Serve: Mining, Petrochemicals, Manufacturing, Agrochemicals, and General Chemical Suppliers operating in the workplace sector.

🇳🇬 SDS (Safety Data Sheet) Preparation & Review Services for Nigeria

NAFDAC Regulations and GHS Implementation

By Zoesoe Exports Pvt Ltd – Your Trusted Regulatory Partner for Chemical Compliance in West Africa

Zoesoe Exports Pvt Ltd offers SDS services tailored to the emerging regulatory landscape in Nigeria, specifically addressing the requirements of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the ongoing national efforts to implement the GHS.

Why SDS is Critical in Nigeria

While Nigeria is undergoing a GHS implementation project, NAFDAC's regulations already mandate specific GHS elements for chemical products:

1. NAFDAC Regulations: The NAFDAC (Chemical and Chemical Product) Regulations, 2024 (or similar) requires that chemical products sold, imported, or manufactured must be accompanied by an SDS and a GHS-compliant label [Source 3.4].

2. GHS Alignment: Regulations require that labels align with the six elements of the UN GHS, written in English Language, which implies the underlying SDS must also be GHS-based [Source 3.4].

3. Import/Trade: Essential documentation for smooth import procedures and compliance with national safety guidelines.

A Compliant Nigeria SDS must be:

• Format: The internationally recognized 16-section GHS format is expected (often referred to as the Second Schedule to the NAFDAC Regulations) [Source 3.4].

• Language: Primarily in English Language [Source 3.4].

• Content: Must align the classification with the required GHS label elements (pictograms, signal word, hazard statements).

Other African Countries (GHS in Development)

While South Africa is mandatory, most of the rest of the continent is in the process of drafting and implementing GHS legislation, often with support from international bodies like UNEP, ECHA, and the EU.

• GHS Pilot Countries: Ghana, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria are participating in a multi-stakeholder pilot project to develop GHS legislation and build national capacity [Source 1.1, 1.2].

• Other Adopters: Mauritius and Zambia have implemented GHS as part of national policy, though enforcement maturity can vary [Source 1.2, 1.5].

For these countries, the current best practice is to provide an English-language, GHS Rev. 7/8 compliant SDS (16-section format), as this future-proofs the documentation and satisfies the requirements of most major exporting countries.