SDS section 13 of 16
SDS Section 13: Disposal considerations
Section 13 describes how to dispose of the product, its residues and its contaminated packaging. OSHA lists the heading but does not enforce the content, because waste disposal is regulated by environmental authorities. The section is guidance from the supplier, not a legal determination of how your waste must be classified; that responsibility stays with the waste generator.
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What OSHA requires in Section 13
OSHA includes the Section 13 heading in the 16-section format but does not enforce its content, because other agencies regulate this information. Other regimes, such as the GHS and the EU, still expect it.
Section 13 is one of the sections whose content OSHA will not enforce (Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2)), since other agencies regulate disposal; Appendix D describes it as not mandatory. The customary content is:
- A description of waste residues and information on their safe handling.
- Methods of disposal, including disposal of any contaminated packaging.
- Many suppliers also add a reference to relevant waste legislation.
In the United States, hazardous waste is regulated mainly by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and by state agencies, which can be stricter. The rules cover how waste is identified, stored on site, labeled, transported and finally treated. Those rules, not the SDS, determine your legal obligations.
GHS Annex 4 and international differences
GHS Annex 4 asks the preparer to specify disposal containers and methods, including for the container, and to discuss physical and chemical properties that may affect disposal options. It also says to discourage sewage disposal and to identify special precautions for incineration or landfill where appropriate.
The EU format asks for waste treatment methods and separates product from packaging, and often cites the European Waste Catalogue code. EU codes are not valid for a US waste manifest; US waste is characterized under RCRA and state rules. Sheets prepared for several markets often state that waste codes depend on the use of the product, which is accurate.
What to look for and red flags
What to look for
- Product versus packaging. Empty containers may still be hazardous waste unless they meet an emptiness definition.
- Prohibited routes. Statements such as "do not discharge into drains" are practical and common.
- Treatment hints. For example incineration at a permitted facility or neutralization before disposal.
- Waste characteristics (ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic) that guide the waste classification you need to do.
Red flags
- "Dispose of in accordance with local regulations" as the only text for a clearly hazardous product (allowed, but unhelpful).
- A recommendation to pour a hazardous liquid into a sanitary sewer.
- Waste codes from another jurisdiction presented as if they applied to you.
- No mention of contaminated packaging.
Worked example: typical fields
An illustrative layout. For public data on a real substance, see the disposal section of the isopropanol page.
- Product / residues
- Dispose of as hazardous waste through a licensed contractor; do not pour into drains
- Contaminated packaging
- Empty containers completely; treat unemptied containers as the product itself
- Waste codes
- Depend on the use; classification is the generator's responsibility
- Special precautions
- Keep waste separate from incompatible materials
See how this looks on a real page: isopropanol safety data, disposal considerations section. Every chemical page uses these 16 sections with the same anchors, so you can compare any substance.
Common mistakes
- Treating the SDS as the waste determination. The generator of the waste must determine whether it is hazardous waste under the rules that apply.
- Mixing waste streams. A convenient bucket for "all solvents" can create reactive or more expensive waste.
- Using the sink. Local wastewater authorities set strict limits.
- Forgetting the packaging. Drums, rags, gloves and absorbent can all be regulated waste.
- Assuming the product is "non-hazardous" because it is not classified under HazCom. Hazardous-waste definitions are different from HazCom hazard classes.
Frequently asked questions
Does OSHA require Section 13 on an SDS?
OSHA requires the section heading in the 16-section format but does not enforce the content of Section 13, because disposal is regulated by other agencies such as the EPA and state authorities.
Can I follow the SDS to dispose of a chemical?
Use it as guidance, but waste rules are set by law and your local authority. The waste generator must classify the waste and use an authorized disposal route.
Is an empty container still hazardous?
It can be, depending on the product and the rules that define an empty container. Follow Section 13 and your waste provider's instructions.
Can I pour a small amount of chemical down the drain?
Only if the SDS, your facility permit and the local wastewater authority allow it. Many chemicals are prohibited from drains even in small amounts.