Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Understanding SDS for Nail Technicians

What is an SDS and How Do I Use It as a Nail Technician?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a legally required document that provides important safety information about a chemical product. It includes details on potential hazards, handling instructions, first-aid measures, and disposal guidelines.

SDS Requirements Under UK/EU Regulations

In the EU and UK, SDS are regulated under:

EU: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation)
UK: UK REACH (post-Brexit equivalent)

These regulations define when and how SDS must be provided, ensuring safe handling and compliance in professional settings.

How Should an SDS Be Used in a Nail Technician’s Work?

As a professional nail technician, you should use an SDS to:

✔ Understand chemical hazards – Identify potential allergens, skin irritants, or flammable components.

✔ Follow correct safety measures – Learn proper ventilation, protective equipment recommendations, and handling precautions.

✔ Know first-aid procedures – Recognise how to respond to accidental spills, inhalation, or skin contact.

✔ Meet insurance and salon compliance – Many UK-based insurance providers (e.g., Salon Gold, ABT, Professional Beauty Direct) require SDS for insured treatments.

Do Professional Nail Brands in the UK Have to Provide SDS to Nail Technicians?

Under UK Cosmetic Regulation (EC No. 1223/2009), finished cosmetic products including salon hair and beauty products, are exempt from the UK REACH requirements to provide SDS. This is confirmed by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA). Learn more about it here.

However, because our products are for professional use only, we provide SDS in line with the following criteria:

Gellifique® SDS Policy

✔ SDS are not legally required under UK law but are available on request.

✔ We provide SDS to professional customers, distributors, and insurers upon first supply.

✔ SDS are automatically supplied for hazardous substances under UK REACH and COSHH compliance.

✔ We do not publicly list SDS to prevent unauthorised redistribution and misinterpretation by non-professional users.

Why Are SDS Not Publicly Available?

Unlike the INCI ingredient list, SDS are not legally required to be publicly accessible. The law requires that:

✔ SDS must be provided free of charge to professional users (nail technicians, salons) when purchasing a product or upon request.

✔ SDS do NOT need to be available on a company’s website.

✔ SDS are NOT required for general consumers unless specifically requested in exceptional cases.

How Do UK SDS Requirements Differ from EU & US Regulations?

✔ In the EU, some countries enforce stricter EU REACH (Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006), making SDS more common for professional-use products.
✔ In the US, SDS are legally required under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) for all workplace-use products, including nail salons.
✔ In the UK, SDS are only required if a product contains hazardous chemicals that require additional workplace safety measures (finished cosmetic products including salon hair and beauty products, are exempt from the UK REACH requirements to provide SDS.

Why Are There Multiple Formulas Within the Same Product Category?

At Gellifique® Professional, we serve a diverse international market, ensuring that our gel formulations align with the latest regulatory standards across different regions. As regulations evolve, we proactively adjust our formulas to maintain compliance within the international markets in which we retail our products. This commitment allows us to offer products that meet the specific requirements of various markets without compromising performance or innovation. The core functionalities of our products which define our brand always remain the same across all markets.

Does a Brand Need a Separate SDS for Each Product/Colour?

Not always. If the products share the same base formula and differ only by non-hazardous pigments, then one SDS can cover all colours. However, if different shades contain unique hazardous components (e.g., photoinitiators, solvents), then a separate SDS may be required for each formulation.

Why Does the SDS Differ from the Ingredient List on My Product?

The SDS is not a full ingredient disclosure document—it is a workplace safety tool. The ingredient list (INCI) on the product packaging serves a cosmetic regulation purpose, ensuring transparency for consumer safety.

✔ SDS (Safety Data Sheet): Lists only hazardous ingredients

✔ INCI List (Product Label)Regulated under REACH & CLP (UK/EU)Regulated under EU/UK Cosmetic Regulation (EC No. 1223/2009) - Lists ALL ingredients in descending order of concentrationFocuses on workplace safety, hazards, and handlingFocuses on dermatological and consumer transparency

Some ingredients may appear on the SDS but not in the INCI (if they are only listed due to safety classification). Likewise, the INCI may include ingredients that do not appear on the SDS because they are non-hazardous.

Is There Any Country Where Full Ingredient Disclosure in SDS Is Legally Required?

No. SDS regulations worldwide fall under these:

EU REACH (EC 1907/2006)
UK REACH (Post-Brexit equivalent)
US OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012)
Canada WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)
Australia GHS (Globally Harmonized System)

None of these require full ingredient disclosure—SDS are always intended for workplace safety, not cosmetic ingredient transparency.

Why Do Some Companies List Full Ingredients on SDS?

While not legally required, some companies choose to include full ingredient lists for these reasons:

✔ Market Perception & Transparency Claims

Some brands believe that listing all ingredients makes them look more transparent, even though this is not a regulatory requirement.
This is especially common in highly competitive markets where misinformation has led professionals to wrongly expect full disclosure on SDS.

✔ US Compliance & Avoiding Customer Confusion

In the US, OSHA mandates SDS for all professional-use products, leading some brands to standardise SDS content across all markets.
Since US insurance providers and distributors often ask for full ingredient disclosure, some brands include it to prevent customer service issues.

✔ Distributor & Import/Export Requirements

Some international distributors demand full ingredient disclosure before agreeing to sell a product.
While this is not a legal requirement, distributors sometimes enforce it as part of their own policies.

✔ Insurance Provider Requests

Some insurers require SDS as part of their liability coverage assessments, even if the SDS is not legally required.
Some companies include full ingredient lists to avoid follow-up requests from insurance providers.

✔ Misinterpretation of Cosmetic Regulations

Some brands mistakenly believe that since the EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC No. 1223/2009) mandates full INCI disclosure on packaging, SDS should also include the full list.
This is incorrect—SDS follow workplace safety regulations, not cosmetic labeling laws.

Final Takeaway: SDS Is the Same Document Everywhere

SDS is the same document worldwide because it follows globally recognized GHS (Globally Harmonized System) principles.

The only reason some companies add full ingredients is voluntary and not a legal requirement. They are either:

Misinterpreting the purpose of SDS
Trying to market themselves as ‘more transparent’
Meeting customer/distributor/insurance demands that exceed legal requirements

At Gellifique Ltd, we maintain compliance and stay away from fear-based marketing. We are always here to assist our professional customers and are just an email away.

Gellifique SDS Product Files

Gellifique Ltd provides Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all professional-use products in accordance with UK REACH and EU regulations. SDS files are available upon request for verified professional customers and distributors. If you require SDS for a product you have purchased, please contact our support team at info@gellifique.com.