Belgium SDS Authoring

Belgium is a member of the European Union and as such is bound by EU regulations. Belgium must comply with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH) and Regulation (EU) 2020/878, which establishes the latest SDS format and content requirements. The classification and labeling of substances and mixtures must adhere to the CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, including its latest amendments, such as Regulation (EU) 2023/707.

For additional information on Belgian Chemical policy please refer to the Federal Public Service – Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment.

Belgium implements the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) through the EU REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, both of which are directly applicable in all EU member states. As of January 1, 2023, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) in Belgium must comply with Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/878, which sets the latest formatting and content requirements, aligning with the 6th and 7th revisions of GHS. Companies must ensure SDSs meet EU 2020/878 requirements, including updated hazard classification, the inclusion of Unique Formula Identifiers (UFI) for mixtures, and nanomaterial disclosures where applicable.

It is relatively straight forward to have a single SDS for use among the countries of the European Union and European Free Trade Association, so long as it is in the necessary languages. Countries other than Belgium in the EU and EFTA where Dutch, French or German is an official language include Austria, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Switzerland. Having a single document for use in the United States and the European Union should be avoided due to significant differences between the two systems.