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AUK Hygiene safety data sheets
3 mins read

Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS): What You Need to Know and How to Use Them

5 May 2026

If you’re responsible for managing cleaning chemicals in a professional environment, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are a fundamental part of keeping your teams safe and your business compliant. Whether you’re completing COSHH assessments, training staff, or reviewing chemical risks on-site, understanding how to access and use SDS documents properly is essential. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what SDS documents are, why they matter under UK regulations, and how to find and use them effectively on the AUK Hygiene website.

What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) - previously known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - is a legally required document that provides detailed information on a chemical product.

Every SDS follows a standard 16-section format, set out under the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and enforced in the UK through UK REACH and the CLP Regulation.

In practical terms, it gives you everything you need to know about a product’s:

  • Hazards 
  • Safe handling and storage 
  • Emergency procedures 
  • Environmental impact 

It’s also a key document for meeting your responsibilities under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).

When should you receive an SDS?

Under UK REACH, suppliers like AUK Hygiene are legally required to provide an SDS free of charge in several situations.

This includes when a product is:

  • Classified as hazardous (for example corrosive, flammable, or toxic) 
  • Identified as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) 
  • Listed as containing Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) 
  • Not classified as hazardous overall, but still contains hazardous components above certain thresholds (available on request) 

For professional users such as contract cleaners and facilities managers, this means you are entitled to access SDS documentation for the products you use.

What are suppliers required to do?

UK regulations place clear responsibilities on chemical suppliers.

They must:

  • Provide the SDS at the point of first supply 
  • Ensure it is free of charge and in English for UK users 
  • Update the SDS if new safety or hazard information becomes available 
  • Share updated versions with customers supplied in the last 12 months 

At AUK Hygiene, we ensure SDS documents are available to download at any time via our website products pages.

Why SDS documents matter in day-to-day operations

SDS documents aren’t just for compliance - they’re practical tools you should be using regularly.

They help you to:

  • Identify risks before products are used 
  • Put the right control measures in place 
  • Select appropriate PPE for your teams 
  • Train staff on safe handling 
  • Respond correctly to spills, exposure, or emergencies 

It’s important to remember that an SDS is not a COSHH risk assessment, but it gives you the information needed to create one.

What information will you find in an SDS?

All SDS documents follow the same 16-section structure, making them easy to navigate once you know what to look for.

Some of the most useful sections include:

  • Hazard Identification – including symbols, signal words, and risk statements 
  • First Aid Measures – what to do in case of exposure 
  • Handling and Storage – how to use and store the product safely 
  • Exposure Controls – including PPE requirements 
  • Stability and Reactivity – what not to mix with 
  • Disposal Considerations – how to dispose of safely and legally 

This consistent structure allows you to quickly find the information you need, whether you’re carrying out a risk assessment or responding to an incident.

How to use SDS documents in your workplace

For facilities managers and contract cleaning teams, SDS documents should form part of your everyday safety processes.

You can use them to:

  • Complete or support COSHH risk assessments 
  • Build safe systems of work 
  • Define PPE requirements for specific tasks 
  • Deliver staff training and toolbox talks 
  • Prepare for emergency scenarios 

To make this easier, AUK Hygiene provides downloadable risk assessment templates alongside our products. You can use these directly or adapt them to suit your internal processes.

Where to find SDS documents on the AUK Hygiene website

We’ve made accessing SDS documentation as straightforward as possible.

To find what you need:

  • Go to the relevant product page 
  • Scroll to the downloads section 
  • Download the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and any supporting documents 

This ensures you always have access to the latest safety information when you need it.

Supporting safer, compliant cleaning operations

At AUK Hygiene, providing clear, accessible safety information is a core part of how we support our customers.

By making SDS documents readily available, we help you to:

  • Protect your workforce 
  • Stay compliant with COSHH and UK REACH 
  • Reduce risk across your operations 
  • Maintain professional standards in cleaning and hygiene 

Need more help?

To access SDS documents, take a look at the download section on our product pages.

If you need any additional support, our team is always on hand. Please contact our customer care team by phone, and we’ll be happy to help.

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