SDS and Chemical Label Translation under Malaysia's CLASS Regulations
Short answer: Under Malaysia's CLASS Regulations 2013, every hazardous chemical label must carry its information "in the national language and English language" (regulation 8(3)(c)), and every safety data sheet must be "in the national language and English language" too (regulation 13(3)(b)). The duty sits with the supplier, and for imported chemicals "the responsibility lies with the importer". DOSH does not require a certified translator, but the translation must not deviate from the original, and precautionary statements "must be as stated in ICOP CHC". Breaches carry a fine of up to RM10,000, up to a year's jail, or both, plus up to RM1,000 a day for a continuing offence.
What we do: Malay and English safety data sheets and labels translated from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French and other supplier languages, in the 16-section order and with the ICOP CHC hazard and precautionary wording. Send your SDS on WhatsApp for a quote.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Who must comply
Principal suppliers: anyone who "formulates, manufactures, imports, recycles or reformulates a hazardous chemical".
Subsidiary suppliers: anyone who "repacks, distributes or retails a hazardous chemical".
Scope: chemicals supplied for use at a place of work. Cosmetics, radioactive material and scheduled waste are excluded; pesticides are partly excluded.
If your overseas supplier sends an SDS only in Chinese or Japanese, or only in English, DOSH's FAQ is clear that the importer must prepare a CLASS-compliant SDS in both languages.
The 16 SDS sections, in order
Identification of the hazardous chemical and of the supplier
Hazard identification
Composition and information of the ingredients
First-aid measures
Fire-fighting measures
Accidental release measures
Handling and storage
Exposure controls and personal protection
Physical and chemical properties
Stability and reactivity
Toxicological information
Ecological information
Disposal information
Transportation information
Regulatory information
Other information
An SDS must be revised when "more than five years have elapsed since the last date of preparation or revision", and the revised version must reach recipients as soon as practicable. Translations need revising with it.
Why free translation fails
Fixed wording. Hazard and precautionary statements follow the Industry Code of Practice on Chemicals Classification and Hazard Communication (ICOP CHC, mandatory since 17 April 2015), not the translator's own phrasing or a newer GHS edition.
Numbers and units in sections 8, 9 and 14 must match the original exactly.
Supplier details must show the Malaysian supplier responsible, not only the overseas manufacturer.
DOSH released draft ICOP amendments based on the 8th revision of the UN GHS in September 2023, but no implementation date has been set. Until one is, keep to the current ICOP wording.
Related deadlines
Chemical inventory: manufacturers and importers of one tonne or more a year submit their inventory through DOSH's CIMS system by 31 March for the previous calendar year. DOSH says "No late submission will be entertained."
OSHA 1994 amendments: in force since 1 June 2024, with an employer's general-duty fine now up to RM500,000.
Maklumat dalam Bahasa Melayu
Peraturan-Peraturan CLASS 2013 menghendaki label bahan kimia berbahaya dan risalah data keselamatan (SDS) dalam bahasa kebangsaan dan bahasa Inggeris. Bagi bahan kimia yang diimport, tanggungjawab terletak pada pengimport. Pernyataan bahaya dan langkah berjaga-jaga mesti mengikut ICOP CHC. Kami menterjemah SDS dan label daripada bahasa Cina, Jepun, Korea, Jerman dan lain-lain ke dalam Bahasa Melayu dan Inggeris. WhatsApp: +60 17-227 9378.
Common questions
Does the SDS translation have to be certified?
No. DOSH says CLASS does not require certified translators. The translation must keep the meaning of the original and use the ICOP CHC statements.
Our supplier's SDS is English only. Is that enough?
No. Both Malay and English are required, and for imports the importer must provide the Malay version.
Can one bilingual SDS cover both languages?
Yes, as long as every section appears in both languages and in the prescribed order.
How do you handle hundreds of SDS?
We build a glossary of your products and phrases, translate in batches, and keep a register so revisions are easy to track.
Related guides
Sources: