Technical documents
Requesting English TDS and SDS documents for coatings
An English product brochure is useful for an introduction, but it does not answer every question in a purchasing or safety review. When requesting documents from a coatings supplier, identify the exact product and explain who needs the information.
A technical data sheet (TDS) generally describes product characteristics and application-related information. A safety data sheet (SDS) communicates hazard and safety information. They serve different purposes; neither should be assumed to replace the other.
Identify the product before requesting the file
Start with the product code and name shown on the quotation or container label. For a multi-component product, ask which documents cover each component. If a hardener or thinner is proposed separately, include its identifier in the request rather than assuming one file covers the whole order.
Ask for the latest available revision in English and confirmation that it corresponds to the proposed product. If an English version is not available, record that gap and discuss the next step. This guide does not promise that every CHENICS product already has an English document available.
Document request checklist
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Identity | Does the product name and code match the quotation? |
| Components | Which separate components require their own documents? |
| Revision | What is the issue or revision date of the supplied version? |
| Language | Is an English version available for the intended review? |
| Purpose | Is the file for technical evaluation, workplace review or logistics assessment? |
| Clarification | Who can confirm a discrepancy or missing field? |
Read the document for its intended purpose
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration describes the SDS format and its sections, including identification, hazard information, handling and storage, and exposure controls. Its brief is a useful explanation of the document structure. It is a US reference, not confirmation that a particular sheet satisfies requirements in every destination country.
Ask the appropriate specialists to review workplace, transport and destination-specific requirements for the actual product and intended activity. This article is not a regulatory determination, a legal review or a substitute for product-specific instructions.
Keep a record of the version you reviewed
Store the file with the product code, the date received and the supplier contact. If a later quotation changes the product or a component, check whether the reviewed documents still apply. Avoid quietly reusing a file from a similarly named product.
If two documents disagree, note the discrepancy and ask for clarification. Do not resolve it by choosing the value that best fits your schedule or by translating technical instructions without qualified review.
Suggested request
Please provide the latest available English TDS and SDS for [product code and name] and identify any separate documents for the proposed components. Please confirm the revision dates and whether the files match the products in quotation [reference]. The documents will be used for [purpose] in [country].
References and related information
- OSHA: Safety Data Sheets brief — explanation of SDS structure; US scope.
- CHENICS technical resources — contact CHENICS for current product-specific documents and their availability.