Requesting an SDS via the Barcode Scanner
This is the recommended method. Scanning the product’s UPC barcode gives our team the exact product identifier they need — which significantly speeds up locating and matching the correct SDS. When the scanner finds no match, the app walks you through the submission automatically.
Step 1
Open SDS Search and tap the barcode icon
From the home screen, tap the barcode icon next to the search bar to open the scanner.
Step 2
Scan the product’s UPC barcode
Point your camera at the UPC barcode on the product container and hold steady in good lighting. The app will search the database for a match.
Step 3
The app prompts you to submit a request
If the scanned UPC returns no result, or you tapped No Barcode, SDS Mobile™ takes you to the request submission screen. You will be asked to take photos of the product and add optional notes.
Step 4
Photograph the product
Take photos of the Front, Back, and Barcode of the item. You can add up to 10 photos in total. The more clearly the product label is visible in your photos, the faster our team can identify the correct SDS.
Tip: Take photos in good lighting and include any angle that shows the product name, manufacturer, chemical names, or hazard symbols. If the barcode was damaged or unreadable, photograph it anyway — our team may still be able to use it.
Step 5
Add notes (optional but helpful)
In the notes field, add any information you know about the product. This is especially useful for products where the label is damaged, faded, or incomplete.
Information to include:
Manufacturer name
3M, Rust-Oleum, WD-40 Company
Product name
WD-40 Multi-Use Product, Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch
Physical description
Blue aerosol can, clear liquid in gallon jug, white powder in bag
Any visible chemical names
Contains isopropyl alcohol, petroleum distillates
Hazard symbols present
Flammable diamond, health hazard symbol
Step 6
Tap Submit
When you are done with photos and notes, tap Submit. Your photos, notes, and UPC barcode value are sent to our team. You will see a confirmation that your request has been received.
You do not need to follow up after submitting. Our team will process your request and add the SDS to the database. It will then appear in SDS Search results automatically. Processing takes 1–3 business days for standard products.
If the Product Has No Barcode
If the product doesn’t have a barcode — or the barcode is damaged, missing, or unreadable — the app has a built-in option for this. You don’t need to contact support separately.
Open SDS Search and tap the barcode icon to open the scanner.
Tap the No Barcode button. This bypasses the UPC scan and takes you directly to the photo capture screen.
Photograph the product — front, back, and any visible label details. Up to 10 photos can be added.
Add any notes you have about the product in the notes field — manufacturer name, product name, description of contents, any chemical names or hazard symbols visible.
Tap Submit. Your photos and notes are sent to our team so we can identify the product and source the correct SDS.
Tip: For unmarked containers — storage tanks, drums, or portable containers without a label — photograph every angle and include as much physical description as possible in the notes. The more detail our team has, the faster and more accurately we can identify the product.
What Happens After You Submit
Timeframe | Stage | What our team does |
Day 1 | Request received | Your submission is queued for processing. Your photos, notes, and UPC value are reviewed. |
Day 2 | SDS located | Our team locates the SDS from the manufacturer or a verified regulatory source and validates it against the product details you submitted. |
Day 3 | SDS added to database | The SDS is added to the SDS Mobile™ database. It will appear in SDS Search and barcode scan results automatically — no action needed on your part. |
Longer for rare products | Manual sourcing | Some products — especially older, regional, or discontinued items — require direct contact with the manufacturer. These may take longer than 3 business days. |
Important: If you urgently need an SDS for a chemical already on site and cannot wait, contact the manufacturer directly. Under OSHA HazCom 2012, manufacturers are legally required to provide a safety data sheet upon request.