An MSDS data sheet, now called a Safety Data Sheet or SDS, is a formal document that explains the hazards, handling rules, and emergency steps for a chemical product. In vaping, that means every ingredient used to make e liquid and the finished e liquid itself should have a current SDS. The sheet tells staff how to store products safely, what protective gear to use, and what to do if something spills or someone is exposed. Distributors and retailers use it to meet due diligence duties and to train teams. Consumers rarely need the full sheet, yet it is the backbone of safe manufacturing and compliant sales.
MSDS vs SDS
MSDS is the older term. Most regulations now use SDS, but many people still say MSDS out of habit. The purpose is the same. The document travels with the product up and down the supply chain so everyone handles it safely from mixing room to shop floor.
Who must have one
Manufacturers must create an SDS for each hazardous substance and for each hazardous mixture they place on the market. Importers must hold the SDS in English for UK sales. Wholesalers and shops must keep the sheet available to staff and to enforcement officers on request. If you repack, rebottle, or private label a liquid you take on the duty to supply the correct sheet for your label.
When you need it in vaping
You need SDS packs for base ingredients like propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine solutions, flavour concentrates, and the finished e liquid. You also keep sheets for any supporting chemicals used in cleaning or production. Even if a finished product is not classified as hazardous, an SDS is still commonly supplied so storage and transport are clear.
Why it matters
A good SDS reduces accidents, supports insurance cover, and proves that you understand the product you sell. It also feeds into your COSHH risk assessment, which is required when staff may be exposed to a substance at work. If you ever need to brief a first aider or a firefighter, the SDS gives them the right information in seconds.
The 16 sections you should recognise
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Identification: product name, intended use, supplier contact, emergency number.
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Hazards identification: signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary phrases.
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Composition: ingredients with CAS numbers and their ranges.
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First aid measures: what to do after inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion.
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Firefighting measures: suitable extinguishers, specific hazards, advice for firefighters.
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Accidental release measures: spill response, protective equipment, clean up method.
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Handling and storage: ventilation, temperature limits, incompatible materials, hygiene advice.
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Exposure controls and PPE: workplace limits if any, gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection, ventilation.
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Physical and chemical properties: appearance, odour, pH, boiling point, flash point, viscosity.
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Stability and reactivity: conditions to avoid, incompatible substances, decomposition products.
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Toxicological information: likely routes of exposure, symptoms, LD50 data where relevant.
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Ecological information: persistence, bioaccumulation, aquatic toxicity.
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Disposal considerations: safe disposal of product and packaging.
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Transport information: UN number if classified, proper shipping name, class, packing group, environmental hazards.
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Regulatory information: product specific rules and label obligations.
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Other information: revision history and key abbreviations.
What this means for common vape ingredients
Propylene glycol is typically classified as low hazard but still needs correct storage and spill controls. Vegetable glycerine is similar yet more viscous which affects clean up plans. Nicotine solutions are hazardous and demand strict handling with gloves and eye protection, plus locked storage. Flavour concentrates vary. Some carry irritant or sensitiser warnings. The SDS tells you which concentrates need extra care so you can plan mixing procedures and ventilation correctly.
How to read an SDS quickly
Scan sections 2, 4, 7, and 8 first. That gives you the hazards, the first aid steps, the storage rules, and the protective equipment in minutes. Add section 6 to plan spill kits, then section 14 if you transport stock. Finally check the revision date in section 16 so you know the sheet is current.
Storing and sharing SDS files
Keep a digital folder with version control and a printed binder on site in the mixing room and near reception. Train staff to find the sheet fast and to follow it. When you update a formula, ask your supplier for the new SDS and retire the old one so teams do not follow outdated advice.
Labelling, SDS, and your website
Your on-bottle label, your SDS, and your product page should all point in the same direction. If you label a liquid as 70VG and your SDS says 60VG you will fail a due diligence check. If you market a flavour with a cooling effect make sure the SDS for that concentrate sits in your file with the correct hazard statements so staff know to avoid rubbing their eyes after handling it.
MSDS questions from Trading Standards
Officers may ask for SDS sets during a routine visit. Be ready to show them for base chemicals, nicotine shots, flavour concentrates, and finished liquids. They may also ask how you train staff, where you store chemicals, and how you complete COSHH. Having clear SDS folders, signed training records, and a simple spill plan keeps the visit short and friendly.
Practical steps for vape shops and mixers
Create a one page SOP for receiving chemicals that includes an SDS check. Add a checklist to each batch sheet that confirms the SDS version used. Keep a small PPE station in the mixing area with gloves, eyewear, and a copy of first aid steps from the SDS. Put an SDS quick link in your internal drive so new staff can find sheets without hunting.
Consumers and MSDS sheets
Most customers will never read an SDS, yet they benefit from suppliers who do. Consistent flavour, correct child resistant caps, and reliable labels all flow from the same compliance culture. If a customer ever asks for the SDS you can provide it on request which builds trust.
If you are 18 or over and want larger bottles that deliver value while you stay compliant with storage guidance, browse our full 100ml vape juice collection with flavours suited to everyday use.
For a bigger picture view of UK rules including TPD limits, the 2026 vape duty, age of sale, and documentation like SDS, visit our Vape Regulations and Law hub which pulls all compliance topics into one place.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not copy an SDS from another brand. The sheet must match your exact formulation and your brand details. Do not leave out flavour percentages when a hazard calculation depends on them. Do not keep only a printed copy in a back office that is locked after hours. First responders need fast access. Do not forget to refresh SDS sets when you change bottle suppliers, caps, or any component that affects storage or transport.
Final thoughts
An MSDS or SDS is not just paperwork. It is the manual that keeps your team safe, your products consistent, and your business compliant. For vape businesses it touches every part of the operation from delivery bay to checkout. Keep the sheets current, train people to use them, and align labels with the data. Do that well and compliance becomes a simple habit rather than a last minute scramble.
To see the layout and fields you must maintain, read what is on msds sheets. For a plain definition that you can paste into training packs, visit our guide on what is msds.