Do I need an SDS to sell on Amazon or Etsy?
Amazon and Etsy both have their own policies for products containing hazardous chemicals. These platform requirements are separate from OSHA HazCom — they are marketplace rules, not federal law — but they often require an SDS as part of the listing process.
Amazon's Dangerous Goods program requires sellers to provide an SDS for products that contain hazardous materials, including cleaning products, flammable items, and products with cautionary labeling. Amazon uses the SDS to classify the product for warehouse storage, shipping restrictions, and fulfillment center compliance. Without an SDS, Amazon may remove your listing or block shipments.
Etsy generally does not require an SDS for consumer products, but sellers may need to comply with GHS labeling requirements for hazardous consumer products under applicable law. Cosmetics sold on Etsy follow FDA regulations, not OSHA HazCom, unless sold to businesses.
The underlying legal requirement — OSHA HazCom — applies when you sell to businesses or when employees may be exposed to the product. If you manufacture a cleaning spray and sell it wholesale to a janitorial supply company, you need an SDS. If you sell the same spray direct-to-consumer, the consumer-use exemption may apply.
SDSDraft generates a DRAFT safety data sheet from the information you enter. You are solely responsible for verifying the hazard classification and all content with a qualified person before use or distribution. SDSDraft is software, not professional safety, legal, or toxicological advice.
Generate a draft SDS — free, no upload
Steps to check your SDS requirements
- Review Amazon's Dangerous Goods policy if listing on Amazon. Identify whether your product falls under their hazmat categories.
- For Amazon FBA, check whether your product's ingredients trigger DG requirements (flammable, corrosive, oxidizer, toxic).
- Determine if your product contains GHS-classified hazardous ingredients. If yes, it likely requires an SDS under HazCom when sold to businesses.
- Generate a draft SDS with SDSDraft, then verify the classification with a safety professional before submitting to Amazon or any marketplace.
- Check your specific state's requirements — California, for example, has additional requirements under Prop 65 and workplace chemical regulations.
Questions
Amazon rejected my product listing for missing SDS. What do I do?
Generate a draft SDS with SDSDraft, verify the classification with a professional, and submit the final SDS to Amazon's Dangerous Goods review process. Amazon accepts SDS documents for classification review and listing approval.
Does a consumer product exemption mean I never need an SDS?
The HazCom consumer product exemption applies to products sold to consumers for personal use in the quantities and forms in which they are sold. It does not apply to wholesale sales, manufacturer-to-retailer sales, or any situation where workers handle the product in a workplace. Most e-commerce sellers who also do B2B or wholesale sales need an SDS.
What format does Amazon accept for SDS submission?
Amazon typically accepts PDF SDS documents. The SDS must be in GHS/OSHA HazCom 2012 format (16 sections). Ensure the document includes all required sections and is not a draft-watermarked version for formal submission.