CLASS 2013 refers to Malaysia's Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheet of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013. It requires all hazardous chemicals to be properly classified, labeled, and accompanied by Safety Data Sheets. The regulations came into force on April 1, 2015, and are enforced by DOSH (Department of Occupational Safety and Health).

Who needs a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in Malaysia?

All manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of hazardous chemicals in Malaysia must prepare and provide SDS compliant with CLASS 2013. Employers must also ensure SDS are available to workers who handle hazardous chemicals. This includes chemicals used in manufacturing, laboratories, construction, and any workplace setting.

How long does SDS preparation take?

Typical turnaround is 3-7 business days for standard products. Simple products with complete data may take 3-5 days, while complex formulations or products requiring extensive research may take 7-14 days. Rush service may be available for urgent requests.

Do you handle confidential formulations?

Absolutely. We maintain strict confidentiality protocols and can work with proprietary formulations under NDA. We can use concentration ranges and generic chemical identities where permitted by regulations to protect your trade secrets while maintaining compliance.

What is GHS and how does it relate to CLASS 2013?

GHS stands for Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, developed by the United Nations to standardize chemical hazard communication worldwide. Malaysia's CLASS 2013 is based on GHS principles and adopts GHS classification criteria, pictograms, and SDS format. This alignment helps Malaysian companies comply with international standards.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with CLASS 2013?

Penalties for non-compliance include fines up to RM 50,000, imprisonment up to 2 years, or both for serious violations. DOSH can also issue workplace shutdown orders for imminent dangers. Repeat offenders face higher penalties. Proper compliance is essential to avoid legal liability and protect worker safety.

Do I need SDS in both English and Malay?

CLASS 2013 allows SDS in either English or Malay. However, providing bilingual SDS is strongly recommended to ensure all workers can understand the safety information, especially in workplaces with Malay-speaking workers. Bilingual SDS improve safety communication, demonstrate commitment to worker safety, and reduce liability from miscommunication.

How often should SDS be updated?

SDS should be updated whenever: new hazard information becomes available, formulation changes occur, regulatory requirements change, or new uses are identified. As best practice, review and update SDS every 3-5 years even without changes. CLASS 2013 requires SDS to be current and accurate at all times.

What information do you need to prepare an SDS?

We typically need: product name and intended use, complete formulation (ingredients and concentrations), physical and chemical properties (if available), existing test data (toxicity, ecotoxicity, etc.), intended market and applications, and any existing SDS or classification for review services. We can work with incomplete data and help identify what additional testing may be needed.

What are hazard pictograms and how many are there?

Hazard pictograms are standardized GHS symbols that visually communicate the type of hazard. There are 9 pictograms covering different hazard types: flame (flammable), flame over circle (oxidizer), exploding bomb (explosive), gas cylinder (compressed gas), corrosion (corrosive), skull and crossbones (acute toxicity), exclamation mark (health hazard/irritant), health hazard (serious health effects), and environment (aquatic toxicity).

What is the difference between "Danger" and "Warning" signal words?

"Danger" is used for more severe hazards (Categories 1 and 2), while "Warning" is used for less severe hazards (Categories 3 and above). The signal word is determined by the most severe hazard classification of the chemical. Only one signal word appears on a label, even if multiple hazards are present.

How do I prepare for a DOSH inspection?

Prepare by: ensuring all SDS are current and accessible to workers, verifying all chemical labels are compliant with CLASS 2013, maintaining complete classification records, keeping chemical inventory up to date, training workers on chemical hazards and SDS location, organizing documentation for easy access, and conducting a pre-inspection gap assessment. We offer compliance gap assessment services to help you prepare.

What records must I keep for chemical compliance?

You must maintain: classification records for all hazardous chemicals, SDS for at least 30 years, records of worker training on chemical hazards, chemical inventory, incident reports related to chemical exposure, and any correspondence with DOSH. All records must be available for DOSH inspection upon request.

How are chemical mixtures classified?

Mixtures are classified using three methods in order of preference: (1) test data on the mixture itself, (2) bridging principles if similar tested mixtures exist, or (3) cut-off values and calculation methods based on ingredient hazards and concentrations. The classification considers physical, health, and environmental hazards according to GHS criteria.

Do I need to register my chemicals with DOSH?

CLASS 2013 does not require general chemical registration with DOSH. However, you must maintain proper classification records, SDS, and labels. Some specific chemicals (like pesticides) may have additional registration requirements under other regulations. The focus is on proper hazard communication rather than registration.

What if I am importing chemicals with foreign SDS?

Foreign SDS must be reviewed and adapted to meet Malaysian CLASS 2013 requirements. This includes ensuring proper classification according to Malaysian standards, adding local supplier information (name, address, phone), verifying compliance with all 16 required sections, and translating to Malay if needed. We offer SDS review and adaptation services for imported chemicals.

What industries do you serve?

We serve a wide range of industries including: chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, cleaning products, automotive, electronics, oil and gas, and laboratories. Any business handling hazardous chemicals in Malaysia can benefit from our services.

Do you offer training on CLASS 2013 and chemical safety?

Yes, we offer comprehensive training on CLASS 2013 requirements, GHS classification and labeling, SDS preparation and interpretation, chemical safety in the workplace, and DOSH inspection preparation. Training can be customized for your specific industry and workforce needs. Contact us to discuss your training requirements.

What is included in a compliance gap assessment?

Our compliance gap assessment includes: review of existing SDS documents for completeness and accuracy, verification of chemical classifications, label compliance assessment, documentation and record-keeping review, workplace chemical inventory assessment, gap identification and prioritization, remediation recommendations, and implementation roadmap development. We provide a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations.

Can you help with international chemical compliance?

Yes, we can help with GHS-based compliance for other countries and regions. While CLASS 2013 is Malaysia-specific, GHS is internationally recognized. We can prepare SDS according to GHS format and provide guidance on country-specific requirements for markets like Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, EU, USA, and others. Contact us to discuss your international compliance needs.

How to Prepare Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in Malaysia

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is the single most important document in chemical compliance. It is the technical passport for a hazardous chemical - the file that tells everyone from the factory floor to a DOSH inspector exactly what the substance is and how to handle it safely.

This guide explains how to prepare one that meets Malaysia’s CLASS 2013 rules, in plain steps your team can follow.

01 - OVERVIEW

What is an SDS?

An SDS is a 16-section document prepared under the GHS format. In Malaysia it is required by CLASS 2013 for every hazardous chemical that is manufactured, imported, supplied, or used at work.

It is not the label (that is the short warning on the drum). The SDS is the full dossier behind it.

02 - THE 16 SECTIONS

The 16 sections (in order)

#	Section	What goes in it
1	Identification	Product & supplier details, emergency phone
2	Hazard identification	GHS classes, signal word, H-codes
3	Composition	Ingredients and concentrations
4	First-aid measures	What to do if exposed
5	Fire-fighting measures	Extinguishing media, hazards
6	Accidental release	Spill cleanup, containment
7	Handling and storage	Do’s and don’ts
8	Exposure controls	PPE, exposure limits
9	Physical/chemical props	Appearance, pH, flash point
10	Stability & reactivity	What to avoid mixing with
11	Toxicological info	Health effects
12	Ecological info	Environmental fate
13	Disposal	Safe disposal routes
14	Transport	UN number, packing group
15	Regulatory	Key regulations (e.g. CLASS 2013)
16	Other info	Date, revision notes

Need a compliant document produced? See our SDS authoring & review service.

03 - WHO PREPARES THE SDS

Who prepares the SDS?

Usually the manufacturer or importer. Downstream users and distributors pass it on unchanged. If you import a chemical with a foreign SDS, that document must be reviewed and adapted to Malaysian requirements - adding local supplier details and verifying all 16 sections.

04 - STEP-BY-STEP

Step-by-step: how to prepare an SDS

1. Gather the data. You need:

Product name and intended use.
Full formulation (ingredients + concentrations).
Physical/chemical properties (or test data).
Existing toxicology / ecotoxicology data.
Target market and applications.

2. Classify the hazards. Determine physical, health, and environmental hazards using GHS criteria. For mixtures, apply test data, bridging, or cut-off calculations. Our classification records service handles this.

3. Write sections 1–16 in order, using consistent H-codes and P-codes.

4. Build the label elements (pictograms, signal word, statements) so the SDS and label agree. See label preparation.

5. Translate if needed. CLASS 2013 allows English or Malay; a bilingual SDS is recommended for mixed-workforce sites.

6. Review and verify. Check technical accuracy and that the classification is justified.

05 - DATA YOU MUST NOT SKIP

Data you must not skip

Concentration ranges for confidential formulas (allowed under GHS with justification).
Exposure limits (e.g. OELs) in section 8.
UN transport data in section 14 if the chemical ships.
Revision date in section 16 - DOSH expects the SDS to be current.

06 - COMMON MISTAKES

Common SDS mistakes

Wrong or missing H/P codes.
Label and SDS that disagree on hazard.
Copying a foreign SDS without local adaptation.
Out-of-date revision dates.
Vague first-aid or spill instructions.

07 - WHEN TO UPDATE

When to update the SDS

Update whenever:

new hazard information appears,
the formulation changes,
regulations change, or
new uses are identified.

As best practice, review every 3–5 years even without changes.

08 - BILINGUAL OR NOT

Bilingual or not?

Option	When
English only	Permitted, but risky if staff read Malay
Malay only	Permitted, but limits export
Bilingual (EN + BM)	Recommended - best safety + reach

09 - MAKE IT AUDIT-READY

Make it audit-ready

A good SDS is consistent, justified, and current. If you want an expert to prepare or review yours, our SDS authoring & review service delivers a 16-section document built to survive a DOSH audit. Unsure where gaps are? A compliance gap assessment maps them before the inspector does.