EPA updates chemical reporting rules to match new safety data sheet standards
/ 1 min read
Table of Contents
The Environmental Protection Agency is updating its regulations for hazardous chemical inventory reporting to align with recent changes made by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Specifically, the EPA is removing the term “Material Safety Data Sheet” (MSDS) from its rules and using only “Safety Data Sheet” (SDS), which OSHA adopted in 2012. The agency is also updating hazard categories to match OSHA’s 2024 updates to the Hazard Communication Standard.
Why it matters: This is primarily an administrative update to keep federal regulations consistent with each other. By adopting OSHA’s updated definitions and removing obsolete terms like MSDS, the EPA reduces confusion for facilities that already follow OSHA standards. There are no new reporting burdens or significant costs associated with this change.
Who it affects
- Owners and operators of facilities that handle hazardous chemicals as defined by OSHA
This final rule was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency via the Federal Register; readers should consult the official document for full regulatory text and compliance details.
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Source: Federal Register — read the official document