Section 13 of the Safety Data Sheet – Disposal considerations
Section 13 of the safety data sheet rarely raises much concern, either among SDS authors or its users. While it is an essential part of the document and contains information relevant to waste management, in practice, the way waste is disposed of depends largely on factors such as the processes in which the product is used, the quantities involved, the type of user, or access to specific treatment facilities.For this reason, the SDS can serve as a guideline in this respect, but Section 13 does not have as significant an impact on product use and safety as, for example, Sections 2 or 3. This does not mean, of course, that the section should be neglected or omitted.
Below we explain what is required in this section and how to complete it correctly.
What does a properly completed Section 13 of the SDS include?
According to Regulation (EU) 2020/878, Section 13 should include information on the appropriate waste treatment methods for chemical substances or mixtures and their containers. This includes:
🔹 Waste treatment methods compliant with relevant EU and national legislation
🔹 Guidance on the possibility of recovery, recycling, or safe disposal of chemicals and their packaging
🔹 Recommendations for assigning appropriate waste codes – if these can be determined based on the intended use of the product
🔹 Precautionary measures related to the recommended disposal methods
References to applicable EU and national waste legislation should also be included.
How to prepare Section 13 in practice?
🔸 Section 13 must not be left blank – regardless of whether it contains detailed or more general information, it must be filled in.
🔸 Remember to include recommendations not only for the disposal of the product itself but also for its packaging.
Is it always necessary to include a waste code in Section 13 of the SDS?
Providing a waste code (in accordance with the EU list of waste codes) is not mandatory in every case. However, if the code can be determined based on the intended use of the product, it is advisable to include it.
An example of how to indicate a waste code in the SDS:
Possible waste code: 01 03 07 – Other wastes containing hazardous substances from physical and chemical processing of metal ores*
It is worth noting that for broadly applicable products (e.g. raw materials used in various industrial processes), the waste code may vary depending on specific use. In such cases, users should be informed that they are responsible for determining the appropriate waste classification.It is also not advisable to impose specific waste codes (unless we are 100% certain that the waste will fall under a particular code), as this could create problems in waste handling for the recipient of the product.
Summary
Section 13 of the safety data sheet should include precise, product-specific information on waste disposal. Although it is often one of the shorter sections, in some cases it can play an important role in ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and the safe disposal of chemical substances.
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