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A new regulation approved by the Marine Safety Committee of The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) to be supplied to ships carrying MARPOL Annex I cargoes and bunker fuels will come into force from today.

According to the new regulation, the MSDS should contain safety, handling, and environmental information and should be supplied to the ship prior to bunkering and the loading of MARPOL Annex I type oil as cargo in bulk.

The IMO lays down 16 sections which should be addressed by the MSDS :-

1. Identification, including trade name, of the substance or mixture, and details of the supplier.

2. Hazards identification, including Globally Harmonised System (GHS) classification of the substance/mixture.

3. Composition/information on ingredients

4. First aid measures

5. Fire-fighting measures

6. Accidental release measures including methods and materials for containment and clean up.

7. Handling and storage, including any incompatibilities.

8. Exposure controls/personal protection, including appropriate technical precautions and individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment.

9. Physical and chemical properties

10. Stability and reactivity

11. Toxicological information

12. Ecological information

13. Disposal considerations

14. Transport information

15. Regulatory information

16. Other information