Safety data sheets - which rules apply?
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By law, it must be possible for all welding products to be supplied with a material safety data sheet (MSDS) that details not only any hazards associated with the product, but also how it is to be used and handled safely.
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For more than ten years now, there have been meticulously formulated regulations governing how MSDSs are to be classified and handled. However, in May 2010, the European Commission adopted REACH, a new directive on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals.
All MSDSs must now be adapted to the new directive. Adaptation must be completed by 1 December 2012.
For both present and future MSDSs, the compilation date is an important detail. A new version number and version date must be given whenever a sheet is revised. However, there is no requirement that MSDSs must be revised/renewed regularly (e.g. every three years). Our present MSDSs are valid up until 1 December 2012 and are readily available from this website under Information / MSDS (http://www.avestawelding.com/pages/Page____3445.aspx).
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