Why we need MSDS when we have got ICSC?
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) briefly introduces hazards to human health and environment of certain material, and offer information about safety transportation, storage, and application of such material. As one service to customer, manufacturer shall offer data sheet to the user with chemical products so as to make user understand relevant hazards of the material and accordingly take active protection while using, taking effect of reducing occupational hazards and preventing chemical accident.
ICSC (International Chemical Safety Card) is a series of cards related variety of chemicals rather than specific products of each manufacturer, so it is one common acknowledgement internationally. Insider knows that there are large difference of the same chemicals produced by different manufacturers. So it is necessary to make MSDS specified for each manufacturing enterprise. ICSC is used by workers and employers of factory, agriculture, construction and other working place workshop for first class work, while MSDS is circulated with specific product, namely transfer from manufacturer to down user through transportation. If no MSDS with chemical product abroad, receiver has the right of rejection. In other word, ICSC seems residence registration of our civil department, while MSDS likes ID card closely following the product.
ICSC is a set of documents compiled by World Health Organization (WHO), International Labor Organization (ILO) , and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), however, it cannot take the place of MSDS, because it is not the necessary document required by laws, while MSDS is the necessary document for chemicals required by import country.