Key SDS Requirements for the Comoros Market

The Union of the Comoros 🇰🇲 is an archipelago nation with a legal framework for chemical safety that is still developing. Compliance relies heavily on adherence to international conventions and the need for documentation to satisfy customs and environmental authorities.

While there is no accessible, fully implemented national regulation mandating a specific GHS (Globally Harmonized System) revision, the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is required for import and safety management.

🇰🇲 Key SDS Requirements for the Comoros Market

1. Format and System

• GHS Foundation: The SDS must follow the universally recognized 16-Section GHS Format. This is the standard document needed for hazard communication and technical assessment by authorities and importers.

• International Conventions: Comoros is a party to major chemical conventions, including the Stockholm Convention (on Persistent Organic Pollutants, POPs). The SDS must clearly confirm that the product complies with any international restrictions (Section 15).

• Customs and Import: The SDS is an essential document required by Comoran Customs and the relevant environmental departments (e.g., the Directorate General of the Environment) for the clearance and import of restricted or hazardous goods.

2. Language Requirement

Comoros has three official languages: Comorian, French, and Arabic. French is the primary language used in government and business.

• Mandatory Language: To ensure regulatory acceptance and adherence to the country's labor code regarding workplace safety (which requires employers to protect worker health), the SDS should be provided in French (Français).

• Recommendation: A technically accurate SDS in French is the necessary best practice. English may be included as a supplementary document for international trade.

3. Regulatory and Documentation Focus

• Workplace Safety: The Comoros Labour Code sets general provisions for Hygiene and Safety at work, requiring employers to take steps to protect worker health. A French-language SDS is crucial for meeting this legal responsibility regarding communication about hazardous materials (Section 7 & 8).

• Transport Information: Accurate Section 14 (Transport Information) is essential for the safe transport and logistics of goods through the region and for smooth customs processing.

• Hazard Communication: The SDS must include clear and accurate GHS classification details, including pictograms and hazard statements, to facilitate local safety management.