Letters of Interpretation

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Each letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed.

Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.

These letters of interpretation and the standards they address may not apply to OSHA State Plans. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or additional requirements. Please see OSHA-approved State Plans for more information.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Hazard Communication Standard – SDS responsible party and hazards not otherwise classified 1910.1200, 1910.1200(f)(6), 1910.1200(g)(2)(ii), 1910.1200 App C, 1910.1200 App D
CPDA's request to extend the deadline for distributors to label non-pesticide agricultural chemical products in accordance with the HCS 2012 1910.1200(j)(2), 1910.1200(j)(2)(i)
EPA Risk Pesticides Subject to HCS Labeling 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(5)(i), 1910.1200(b)(5)(v), 1910.1200(g)
Hazard Communication Standard – SDS Physical and Chemical Properties 1910.1200
HCS pictogram labeling of DOT-39 Non-Refillable Cylinders 1910.1200, 1910.1200(f)(1)
Hazard Communication Standard – Globally Harmonized System Revision 5 1910.1200
Interim Enforcement Guidance for the Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.1153 1910.134, 1910.1053, 1910.1200, 1926.1153, 1926.1153(c), 1926.1153(c)(1), 1926.1153(d), 1926.1153(d)(1), 1926.1153(d)(2), 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii)(B), 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii)(E), 1926.1153(d)(2)(v), 1926.1153(d)(3), 1926.1153(e)(1)(ii)(C), 1926.1153(i)(2)
What constitutes an emergency response or incidental release of anhydrous ammonia 1910.38, 1910.119, 1910.120, 1910.120(q), 1910.1200
Use of trade secret in lieu of known ingredient percentages on SDSs 1910.1200, 1910.1200(i)
Clarification on the use of ingredient percentage and trade secret on SDSs 1910.1200 - Index, 1910.1200(i)
Listing and disclosing Benzene as a human carcinogen on the label and SDS 1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(g), 1910.1200(g)(1), 1910.1200 App A - Index, 1910.1200 App C - Index, 1910.1200 App D - Index
Labeling of Secondary Containers 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii)
Separate SDSs and labels for dual components 1910.1200, 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(g)(1), 1910.1200(g)(2)
Labeling outer containers of chemical cleaning products while in storage. 1910.1200(b)(4), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)(6)
Safety Data Sheets for grinding wheels and abrasives 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(1), 1910.1200(b)(2), 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(d)(1), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)(4)
Applicability of OSHA standards to formaldehyde exposures in laboratories 1910.106, 1910.106(a)(31), 1910.106(d)(4), 1910.1048, 1910.1048(d), 1910.1048(e), 1910.1048(h)(1), 1910.1048(j)(4), 1910.1048 App A, 1910.1200(b)(3), 1910.1450, 1910.1450(a)(2), 1910.1450(d), 1910.1450(g)(1)(ii)
Labeling small containers 1910.1200(f)(1)
Hazard Communication Standard's (HCS 2012) June 1, 2016 effective date, 1910.1200(j) 1910.1200(f)(9), 1910.1200(f)(11), 1910.1200(j)
Hazard Communication Standard – Classifying 'Articles' 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(2), 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(g)
Clarifications to CPL 02-02-079, Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) 1910.1200