SDS Bureau
Flag of the United Kingdom EN ▾
Flag of the United Kingdom English Vlajka Slovenska Slovenčina
Order an SDS
☰ Menu
SDS authoring SDS translation Guide Regulations GHS pictograms H and P statements UFI and PCN SDS template Substance database
Flag of the United Kingdom English Vlajka Slovenska Slovenčina
Order an SDS
Home / Regulations / Annex II Regulation (EU) 2020/878

Annex II to REACH

Annex II to REACH sets out what a safety data sheet must contain and how it must be compiled. This guide summarises the general rules and the changes introduced by Regulation (EU) 2020/878.

Sources last checked: 14 October 2026 General information, not legal or professional advice. Always check the current consolidated text on EUR-Lex.
2020/878 Regulation that replaced the text of Annex II (Art. 1)
1 Jan 2021 Date from which the new Annex II applies (Art. 3)
31 Dec 2022 Last day old-format SDSs could still be provided (Art. 2)
0 Blank subsections allowed in an SDS (Annex II, 0.4)

What Annex II is

Article 31 of REACH says when a safety data sheet must be provided. Annex II says what it must look like: Part A contains general rules for compiling the SDS, Part B lists the 16 sections and their subsections with the information required in each.

The current text was introduced by Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/878 and applies from 1 January 2021. Safety data sheets compiled under the previous version (Regulation (EU) 2015/830) could still be provided until 31 December 2022. Since 1 January 2023, every SDS supplied in the EU must follow the new Annex II.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2020/878, Articles 1–3 · REACH, Art. 31

General rules for every SDS

Part A of Annex II applies to every safety data sheet, whatever the product.

0.2.3

Competent person

The SDS is prepared by a competent person who takes into account the needs and knowledge of its users. Suppliers must ensure that person is trained, including refresher training.
0.2.4

Plain language

Simple, clear and precise wording without jargon, acronyms and abbreviations. Vague statements such as “may be dangerous” or “no health effects” are not allowed.
0.2.5

Date and version

The date of compilation is on the first page. A revised SDS shows “Revision: (date)” and which version it replaces; changes are pointed out in section 16, unless indicated elsewhere.
0.3.1

No fixed length

The length of the SDS matches the hazard of the product and the information available.
0.3.2

Numbered pages

Every page, including annexes, is numbered and shows the total length (“page 1 of 3”) or whether another page follows.
0.4

No blank subsections

Required information goes into the subsections of Part B. If information does not apply or is not available, the SDS says so instead of leaving the subsection empty.
Source: Annex II to REACH, Part A, as replaced by Regulation (EU) 2020/878

What Regulation (EU) 2020/878 changed

The recitals of the regulation explain why Annex II was replaced. The main changes for authors of safety data sheets:

Sections 1, 3, 9 and others

Nanoforms

Specific information on nanoforms of substances, following the REACH registration requirements introduced by Regulation (EU) 2018/1881.
Subsections 2.3, 11.2, 12.6

Endocrine disruptors

The SDS states whether a substance has endocrine disrupting properties and describes the adverse effects on health and the environment.
Subsection 1.1

UFI code

Where a mixture has a unique formula identifier under Annex VIII to CLP and the UFI is indicated in the SDS, it is given in subsection 1.1. More in our UFI and PCN overview.
Section 3

Limits and factors

Specific concentration limits, M-factors and acute toxicity estimates set under CLP are given where available.
Section 9

Physical and chemical properties

A fixed list of basic properties that every SDS must address. If a property does not apply or is not available, the SDS says so and gives the reason where possible.
Whole document

Alignment with GHS

Annex II was adapted to the rules for safety data sheets in the sixth and seventh revised editions of the UN Globally Harmonised System.
Source: Regulation (EU) 2020/878, recitals 2–7 and Annex · UNECE – GHS

Is your SDS still in the old format?

We check existing safety data sheets against Annex II as amended by Regulation (EU) 2020/878 and revise them.

Revise my SDS See the 16 sections

Sources

Sources last checked: 14 October 2026. Always use the consolidated version on EUR-Lex.