How you can automate SDS Authoring in Minutes
Manual SDS authoring takes way too long. Over the last year, I’ve talked to manufacturers, EHS consultants, and compliance teams, and kept hearing the same thing: It’s complex, repetitive, and the risk of getting something wrong is high. One missed classification or a wrongly phrased section can cause issues across supply chains or even lead to fines.
That’s why automated SDS authoring tools have been gaining traction. Some of the well-established platforms in this space include AuthorITe by Chemwatch, Almego by EcoOnline, CloudSDS, Quantum SDS, and ExactSDS from SDS Manager.
I tried ExactSDS myself to see what the experience is like from start to finish. It lets you try out the workflow without needing to book a demo or get custom pricing first. That kind of low-friction entry helps when you’re just trying to get a feel for how things work.
Let me guide you through the steps leading to SDS generation.
Before Getting Started
Before starting, you need information about:
- The product info (name, code, intended uses)
- Ingredient list (with CAS numbers and allowed concentrations)
- Target country, language and regulation
- Company details (name, address and email) and emergency contact
Having product information ready makes the process smoother. ExactSDS doesn’t import spreadsheets, so it expects you to enter the above listed data directly.
The Step-by-Step Authoring Workflow
1) Create your account & look around
Register with name, email, password.
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After signing-in, you’ll see the tabs: Library, Company, Authoring.
2) Set up your company record (saves time later)
Go to the Company tab and add company name, address, and contacts. This includes emergency contacts that will be required during generation. That saves time later since this info autofills into Section 1 of every SDS.
3) Start a new SDS
Click over to Authoring → New. Enter product name, product code, and intended use. Then choose the country, language, and regulation from dropdowns. You’ll also select an emergency contact from your previously saved company records.
4) Add ingredients
Enter the CAS number and concentration for each ingredient. The system will match chemical names from its internal database. It’s a good idea to double-check your numbers here. Small mistakes can throw off classifications downstream.
5) Classify hazards
Select the physical state: powder, liquid, paste, aerosol, etc. Click “Generate hazard codes.” The system walks you through hazard classes, statements, and codes based on what you entered. Generated hazard information can be overridden where necessary and documented with reasoning added.
6) Fill in physical & transport data
Under physical properties, add required values like pH, flash point, boiling range, density, vapor pressure, and so on.
Next is transport info: enter the UN number, proper shipping name, and pick transport modes. You can add multiple if your product uses different routes.
7) Generate the SDS
Once everything’s filled in, hit Generate SDS. The tool creates a formatted SDS draft using your data and regulatory templates. If you selected a translation, it’s included in the same output.
8) Review & finalize
Look over classifications, statements, and the full draft. Make changes where needed, approve, and export the final SDS. You can then share or upload it where required.
My Experience with ExactSDS
When I used ExactSDS with real product entries, the workflow felt clear and practical.
The screens you interact with daily are easy to follow: the dashboard, the library, the company records, and then the authoring steps.
It checks your entries as you go and keeps everything, including translations, within the same flow.
You enter product data directly instead of importing spreadsheets, so having accurate inputs makes a difference. It produced a usable draft fast.
Like with any tool, I still had to verify classifications, override when needed, and approve the final version.
Try a Few Tools Before You Commit
To really get a feel for what suits your workflow, try out a few platforms using the same product.
See how they handle ingredient verification, translations, exports, and how much manual review is left for you.
Consider pricing, onboarding, and whether you can test the system using your own data without a demo request. That kind of hands-on comparison gives you a realistic view of what fits your workflow, budget, and compliance needs.
I’ll be back soon with another review. There’s plenty more happening in SDS automation, and it’s worth seeing how different systems stack up when put to the same test.
