MSDSs are required under which act?

• A. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
• B. Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Act (EPCRTKA)
• C. Local and state regulations
• D. All of the above

Answer: (A)

Hazard communication requirements for chemicals in the workplace come from OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. This standard requires employers to maintain and make accessible Safety Data Sheets for every hazardous chemical in use, and to train employees on chemical hazards and protective measures. MSDS is the older term for these documents, but the current requirement is to provide SDS under OSHA.

EPCRA, while it deals with emergency planning, community right-to-know, and reporting chemical inventories and releases, does not specifically require MSDS/SDS for employees. Local and state regulations can add requirements, but the federal obligation most directly tied to MSDS is OSHA.