Overview
ISO/TR 13329:2012 - Nanomaterials: Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) is an ISO Technical Report that gives practical guidance for preparing consistent, usable safety data sheets (SDS) for manufactured nanomaterials and products that contain them. It is supplemental to ISO 11014:2009 and aligned with the UN Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for hazard communication. The report is informative (technical report), not a regulatory requirement, and emphasizes a precautionary approach when hazard data are limited.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Guidance on SDS content and consistent communication of safety, health and environmental information for nanomaterials and nanomaterial-containing mixtures.
- Alignment with existing systems: Supplements ISO 11014:2009 and considers GHS (2011) hazard communication requirements.
- Terms and definitions: Standardized nano terminology (nanomaterial, nanoparticle, agglomerate, aggregate, nanofibre, nanoscale, etc.) based on ISO/TS 27687 and ISO/TS 80004-1.
- SDS content & layout: Recommendations on how SDS sections should reflect properties and hazards specific to nanomaterials (clarity, conciseness, competent authorship).
- Precautionary recommendations: Advises preparing an SDS for manufactured nanomaterials even when bulk material is non‑hazardous, unless testing demonstrates non‑hazard or release of nano‑objects/agglomerates/aggregates is not expected.
- Cut-off values / concentration limits: Addresses when nanomaterial concentrations may be considered below reporting or hazard cut-off thresholds (document provides guidance; specific numeric cut-offs are determined in context or by competent authorities).
- Measurement and characterization: Informative Annex A points to example measurement methods and standards (see ISO/TR 13014) to support hazard assessment and SDS entries.
Practical applications - who uses this standard
- Manufacturers and formulators preparing SDSs for nanoscale substances or products.
- SDS writers and EHS professionals ensuring hazard communication is consistent and nano‑specific.
- Regulatory affairs teams and compliance officers integrating GHS and national SDS requirements with nano considerations.
- Occupational health/safety managers and downstream users who rely on SDSs to assess workplace controls, exposure prevention, and emergency response.
- Laboratories and test houses using referenced measurement methods to generate characterization data for SDS content.
Related standards and references
- ISO 11014:2009 - Safety data sheet (general SDS preparation)
- ISO/TS 27687:2008 - Nano terminology (nanoparticle, nanofibre, nanoplate)
- ISO/TS 80004-1:2010 - Nanotechnologies vocabulary
- GHS (UN) - Globally Harmonized System for classification and labelling of chemicals
- ISO/TR 13014 - Example measurement methods and standards for nanomaterials
Using ISO/TR 13329:2012 helps organizations provide clearer, more consistent SDSs for nanomaterials, improving hazard communication, workplace safety, and regulatory alignment in the evolving field of nanotechnology.