Essential oils, with their myriad applications from aromatherapy to health and beauty, are increasingly popular in modern life. Though naturally derived, these oils are concentrated blends of bioactive compounds, possessing unique chemical and physical properties that must be understood for safe use. Beyond purity and chemical composition, safety during use and storage is a crucial factor in assessing the quality of each product.
What is MSDS?
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a fact sheet describing the chemical properties and potential hazards of a specific product or material. This document includes physical data, health effects, and guidance on safe use, storage, handling, and disposal of the product(s).
What does an MSDS consist of?
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals contains a standard specification for material safety data sheets.
The MSDS follows a 16 section format, which are:
- Product and Company Identification
- Composition / Information Ingredients
- Physical and Chemical Properties
- Hazard Identification
- Stability and Reactivity
- First-Aid Measures
- Fire-Fighting Measures
- Accidental Release Measures
- Handling and Storage
- Exposure Controls/Protection Information
- Toxicological Information
- Ecological Information
- Disposal Considerations
- Transport Information
- Regulatory Information
- Other Information
A material safety data sheet of areme’s essential oil
Why is MSDS important?
An MSDS is an indispensable document for essential oil products, offering significant practical benefits for various stakeholders.
For manufacturers and suppliers:
- Regulations compliance: MSDS is a legal requirement in some countries in chemical manufacture, trading and transportation, including essential oils (as certain constituents within them may be classified as chemical hazards). By providing a comprehensive and precise MSDS, businesses effectively adhere to chemical safety regulations and minimize legal liabilities.
- Trust building: By providing MSDS, businesses demonstrate their commitment to transparency, professionalism and responsibility towards the safety of their customers and the environment.
For buyers and consumers:
- Understanding of the products: MSDS helps consumers understand the ingredients, the physical and chemical properties, and the potential risks of essential oils.
- Safe use, storage and handling: The information provided in the MSDS enables users to take necessary precautions for the safe and effective use of essential oils (e.g. proper dilution, not applying directly on skin, avoiding heat, etc.)
- Response: In case of unexpected incidents, MSDS offers guidance on initial treatment and first-aid measures.