In the chemical sector a significant part of the documents is standardised internationally. The order of sections in a safety data sheet, the codes of the hazard statements and the substance identifiers do not vary from country to country. What is expected in translation is not creativity but the correct use of established equivalents.
Structure of the safety data sheet
The sheet consists of sixteen sections, and the order of the sections is fixed. The order cannot be changed, because the reader finds information by its position. Section headings are given with their established equivalents.
Hazard statements
Hazard statements are coded, and each code has a defined equivalent. The code and the text are given together. They are not translated freely.
Precautionary statements
The precautions to be taken are coded in the same way and expressed in established texts. These texts are not changed. The match with the code is verified.
Substance identifiers
Every chemical has a registry number independent of its name, and this number is unique. The number is not translated and its format is preserved. The name and the number are given together.
Composition information
The components of mixtures are listed with their concentrations, and concentration ranges may be given. A range is not reduced to a single value. Percentages are preserved.
Purity and grade wording
The purity of the chemical and its grade of use determine the commercial value and are written in the document. Grade names are established in the sector. Equivalents are chosen consistently.
Physical and chemical properties
Values such as melting, boiling and flash points are given with their measurement conditions. When the condition is left out, the value cannot be interpreted. The two are carried over together.
Stability and reactivity
The conditions under which the substance reacts dangerously are described in a separate section and have safety consequences. Lists of incompatible materials are carried over in full. No substance is left out.
Toxicological information
Health effects are given by data and by route of exposure. Data sources are stated. Terms are used with their established equivalents.
Ecological information
Environmental effects are defined in a separate section and rest on test data. The types and durations of the tests are stated. The information is preserved.
Disposal recommendations
How a chemical that has become waste is to be disposed of is recommended, and this is linked to the waste codes. The codes are carried over. The recommendation text is translated.
Transport information
Classification is made under the rules on the carriage of dangerous goods, and numbers are given. The class and number notations are standard. They are not changed.
The regulatory section
The regulations applying to the substance are listed in a separate section and vary by country. Regulation names are given with their official equivalents. No matching is done.
Label text
Packaging labels carry mandatory wording, and the space is limited. Mandatory wording is not shortened. The design is adjusted accordingly.
Process flow documents
Production processes are defined by diagrams and instructions and contain equipment tags. Tags are not translated. The instruction text is translated.
Batch production records
Every production batch carries its own record, which is the basis of traceability. The batch number is carried over exactly. Dates are preserved.
The costliest mistake in this sector
Translating a coded hazard statement freely makes the established text unrecognisable, and the label is regarded as non-compliant. Even if the statement looks correct in meaning, it is not accepted. Coded texts are taken from the established list.