Rated 5 out of 5

Rated 4.7 | 26,000 Happy Customers

SDS / MSDS translation · Malaysia & export markets

SDS & MSDS Translation Malaysia — Bahasa Melayu, English & 30+ Languages.
CLASS Regulations 2013 / GHS Compliant.

Professional translation of Safety Data Sheets into Bahasa Melayu, English, and over 30 languages. For Malaysia CLASS compliance, ASEAN export markets, and global multi-language SDS programmes. Translating chemical safety documents since 2002.

Scope note: Omni Translation provides translation and language services. We are not a DOSH-registered Safety and Health Officer (SHO) or regulatory compliance adviser. All translated SDS should be reviewed by a qualified SHO before use for compliance sign-off.

100% acceptance guaranteed or full refund

5,200+​

Certified translations

4.8

180+ Google Reviews

100%

Acceptance guarantee

24 hrs

Urgent delivery available

Document guide

SDS vs MSDS — which do you have?

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is the current internationally standardised term under the UN Globally Harmonized System (GHS). An SDS contains exactly 16 standardised sections in a fixed order. In Bahasa Melayu: Helaian Data Keselamatan (HDK).

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is the older term used before GHS adoption. MSDS documents vary in format and section order. In Bahasa Melayu: Helaian Data Keselamatan Bahan (HDKB).

Since Malaysia adopted GHS via CLASS Regulations 2013, the official current term is SDS. For translation purposes, both terms refer to the same type of document — we translate both.

Old MSDS? We can translate it. If you have a pre-GHS MSDS that is not yet in 16-section format, we translate the existing content. For reformatting to CLASS 2013 / GHS format, consult a registered Safety and Health Officer (SHO).

SDS vs MSDS comparison

FeatureSDS (current)MSDS (older)
Sections16 sections, fixed orderVariable (8–16)
StandardGHS (UN)Country-specific
Malaysia lawCLASS Regs 2013Pre-2013 format
Malay termHDKHDKB
Language req.Bilingual BM + ENUpdate required
Legal Requirement

Why bilingual SDS is a legal requirement in Malaysia

Four facts every manufacturer, importer, and distributor needs to know.

CLASS Regulations 2013

Under OSH (Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheet of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013, all hazardous chemical SDS used in Malaysia must be provided in both Bahasa Melayu AND English. English-only SDS does not comply.

Importer's responsibility

If an overseas manufacturer provides only an English-language or non-GHS-format SDS, the Malaysian importer or distributor is responsible for ensuring the SDS is translated and updated to CLASS 2013 / GHS format before the chemical is used or sold in Malaysia.

DOSH enforcement — up to RM10,000

Non-compliance with OSHA 1994 and CLASS Regulations 2013 can result in DOSH enforcement action (Notis Pembaikan). Fines for non-compliant SDS documentation can reach RM10,000. CIMS inventory reporting failure is an additional separate offence.

Export markets — separate requirements

Each export destination has its own SDS language requirements. The EU requires SDS in the official language of each member state (REACH Annex II). China uses GB 16483 Mandarin. Japan requires Japanese under the Industrial Safety and Health Act.

Translation scope only: Omni Translation provides translation services. We do not classify chemicals, assess hazards, or provide regulatory compliance advice. Translated SDS should be reviewed by a qualified SHO or DOSH-accredited consultant before use.

What we translate

All 16 GHS sections — translated with technical accuracy

Every section contains specialised chemical safety terminology. Here is what each section contains and why accurate translation matters.

§Section titleWhat it containsTranslation consideration
01IdentificationProduct name, supplier details, emergency contact, recommended usesCompany name transliteration; local emergency number formatting
02Hazard IdentificationGHS classification, pictograms, signal words, H-codes, P-codesH-codes & P-codes must use official GHS Malay terminology — not paraphrases
03Composition / IngredientsChemical names, CAS numbers, concentration rangesIUPAC chemical names; CAS numbers language-neutral but descriptions must be accurate
04First-Aid MeasuresExposure symptoms and treatment for inhalation, skin, eye, ingestionMedical and physiological terminology; must be clear for first responders
05Firefighting MeasuresSuitable extinguishants, hazardous combustion products, PPEFire-service terminology must match Malaysian BOMBA usage
06Accidental Release MeasuresSpill response, containment, cleanup, personal protectionEnvironmental and containment terminology; regulatory disposal references
07Handling & StorageSafe handling procedures, incompatibilities, storage conditionsTemperature ranges, incompatibility descriptions, ventilation requirements
08Exposure Controls / PPEOEL values, engineering controls, PPE typesMalaysian DOSH OEL values; PPE terminology must match DOSH guidance
09Physical & Chemical PropertiesAppearance, odour, pH, boiling point, flash point, vapour pressureSI units, chemical property terminology; unit conversion notation
10Stability & ReactivityChemical stability, conditions to avoid, incompatible materialsChemical reaction terminology
11Toxicological InformationRoutes of exposure, acute/chronic toxicity, LD50/LC50, carcinogenicityMedical and toxicological terminology; LD50 notation and units
12Ecological InformationEcotoxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation, mobility in soilEnvironmental science terminology; international/local standards
13Disposal ConsiderationsWaste disposal methods, regulatory referencesMalaysian DOE and Scheduled Wastes Regulations references
14Transport InformationUN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing groupIMDG/IATA/ADR codes — descriptions must match transport regulation standard
15Regulatory InformationDOSH requirements, CIMS classification, import/export regulationsMalaysia-specific: OSHA 1994, CLASS 2013, EQA 1974, APO 2006
16Other InformationRevision date, prepared by, abbreviations, referencesVersion control and glossary terms

Sections 2, 8, 13, 14, and 15 (amber) require particular care for Malaysian compliance — they reference DOSH-specific OEL values, local legislation (CLASS 2013, OSHA 1994), Malaysian transport regulations, and environmental legislation. Our translators are experienced with these sections specifically.

Industries served

Industries that regularly require SDS translation

We work with manufacturers, importers, distributors, and EHS teams across all sectors that handle hazardous chemicals.

01

Chemical Manufacturing

Specialty chemicals, industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, raw material suppliers. Bilingual SDS required for every product sold in Malaysia.

CLASS 2013 · Export markets

02

Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences

Solvents, reagents, cleaning agents, API raw materials. SDS required for all substances used in manufacturing.

GMP · API · CRO

03

Paint, Coatings & Adhesives

High-volume SDS segment — a typical paint portfolio may contain dozens of products each requiring individual SDS translation.

High-volume · Portfolio

04

Automotive & Engineering

Lubricants, coolants, hydraulic fluids, solvents, cleaning agents — all requiring bilingual SDS for Malaysia DOSH compliance.

DOSH compliance

01

Electronics & Semiconductor

Photoresists, etchants, dopants, solvents, process chemicals — requiring bilingual SDS and multi-language SDS for global supply chain compliance.

E&P · Refining · Petrochemical

02

Oil & Gas

E&P, refining, and petrochemical operations — wide range of chemicals requiring SDS translation for production, processing, and maintenance.

E&P · Refining · Petrochemical

03

Import & Trading

Malaysian importers bringing chemical products from overseas are responsible for bilingual SDS compliance — even if the manufacturer’s original SDS is English-only.

Importer responsibility

04

Food & Beverage Mfg.

Cleaning agents, sanitisers, processing aids, and food-grade solvents used in production facilities require compliant SDS documentation under DOSH requirements.

Food safety · DOSH

Languages & export markets

SDS translation into 30+ languages

For Malaysia compliance, ASEAN markets, and global multi-country SDS programmes.

Languages We Translate SDS Into
Bahasa MelayuEnglish
Mandarin (Simplified)Mandarin (Traditional)
JapaneseKorean
ThaiIndonesian
VietnameseGerman
FrenchSpanish
ItalianArabic
Dutch+ 15 more
Export Market SDS Language Requirements
Market Requirement Standard
Malaysia
Mandatory
BM + EN bilingual CLASS Regulations 2013 / GHS
EU member states Local language REACH Annex II (per member state)
China Mandarin (SC) GB 16483 / GB T16483
Japan Japanese Industrial Safety & Health Act
South Korea Korean KOSHA / K-REACH
Indonesia Bahasa Indonesia PP No. 74/2001 / GHS
Vietnam Vietnamese QCVN standards
GCC / Gulf states Arabic preferred Country-specific

Pricing

Competitive SDS pricing — with price-match guarantee

Quoted per project based on word count, language pair, complexity, and deadline.

From RM0.30 / word

English → Bahasa Melayu, standard complexity. Rate varies by: language pair · technical complexity · formatting · volume · deadline.

Price-match guarantee: If you receive a lower quote from a reputable Malaysian translation agency for the same scope, language pair, and delivery requirements — share it with us and we will review and aim to match it like-for-like.

Project typeTypical scopeEst. price
Single SDS — EN → BM1 doc · 1,500–3,000 words~RM450+
Single SDS — BM → EN1 doc · 1,500–3,000 words~RM500+
Portfolio — 5 SDSEN → BM · standard~RM2,000+
Portfolio — 10+ SDSWith glossary managementPer project
Multi-language SDS1 doc · 5+ languagesPer lang. pair
Urgent (24–48 hrs)Single documentSurcharge may apply

Quality & risk

Common SDS translation risks— and how we address them

Poor SDS translation creates real compliance and safety risks. These are the most common issues we help clients avoid.

 

Inconsistent H-code & P-code translation

GHS H-codes and P-codes have official Malay-language versions. Paraphrasing or inconsistently translating these across a product portfolio creates compliance gaps and confusion. We apply official GHS Malay terminology for all hazard and precautionary statements.

Wrong PPE & OEL terminology

Section 8 terms — respirator types, glove materials, DOSH OEL values — must match Malaysian DOSH guidance. Generic or literally-translated PPE terms can be misunderstood in Malaysian workplaces. We use terminology familiar to Malaysian safety officers.

Formatting breaks the 16-section structure

GHS SDS must maintain the fixed 16-section order. Translation that merges sections, omits required headings, or reorders content creates a non-compliant document regardless of translation quality.

Inconsistent chemical nomenclature

Chemical names, IUPAC terminology, and CAS number descriptions must be consistently applied across a multi-product portfolio. Single-document translations without a glossary lead to the same chemical being described differently across products.

Incorrect transport section terminology

Section 14 references UN numbers, IMDG hazard classes, and packing groups. Descriptions surrounding these codes must match the relevant transport regulation (IMDG for sea, IATA for air, ADR for road) in the target language.

Out-of-date or wrong-format SDS

Pre-GHS MSDS documents are not in CLASS 2013 / 16-section format. We translate the content as provided. Reformatting to GHS format is a regulatory task requiring a Safety and Health Officer — not a translation service.

How the SDS translation process works

How it works

1

Submit your project brief

Send your SDS file(s), source and target languages, target market, and deadline. Share any existing glossary or prior SDS versions.

2

Receive your quote

We confirm scope, word count, delivery format, timeline, price, and terminology management approach for portfolio projects.

3

Translation + QA

Subject-matter translator with chemical safety expertise produces the translation. Second linguist reviews for terminology consistency and section structure.

4

Delivery & revisions

Delivered in your requested format (Word, PDF, or original source format). Revisions available for clarification or formatting requests.

Questions answered

Everything you need to know before submitting your birth certificate for translation — including People Also Ask questions for AI search visibility.

Is bilingual SDS (Malay and English) required in Malaysia?

Yes. Under CLASS Regulations 2013 (OSH Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheet of Hazardous Chemicals Regulations 2013), all hazardous chemical SDS used in Malaysia must be provided in both Bahasa Melayu and English. An English-only SDS does not meet Malaysian legal requirements. Importers, manufacturers, and suppliers are responsible for compliance.

What is the difference between SDS and MSDS?

SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is the current GHS-standard term — 16 sections in fixed order. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older pre-GHS term with variable format. In Malaysia, the official current term is SDS (Helaian Data Keselamatan) since CLASS Regulations 2013. For translation purposes, we translate both document types.

What file formats do you accept for SDS translation?

Editable Word (.docx) or Excel files are preferred — they allow us to preserve document structure and reduce reformatting time, lowering your cost. PDF files are accepted but we may request an editable version if the layout is complex. For large portfolios, we can discuss a streamlined workflow.

How long does SDS translation take?

A single SDS (1,500–3,000 words, English to Malay) can typically be delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Multi-document portfolios or multi-language projects are scheduled on a project basis. We confirm the timeline in your quote before work begins.

Can you handle multi-product or multi-language SDS portfolios?

Yes. For multi-product portfolios, we build a terminology glossary so hazard statements, PPE terms, chemical names, and section headings are translated consistently across all documents. For multi-language projects, we manage all language pairs with shared glossaries and consistent source text handling.

Do you provide a glossary for SDS projects?

Yes. For multi-product or multi-language SDS projects, we develop a project-specific glossary capturing approved translations for recurring terms — hazard statements, PPE terminology, chemical names, and regulatory references. The glossary is available to you for future reference and reduces cost on subsequent projects.

Can I use AI tools to translate my SDS?

AI translation tools frequently mistranslate GHS-specific terminology — particularly H-codes, P-codes, IUPAC chemical names, and regulatory references. SDS is a compliance document where terminology errors carry real workplace safety risk. Human review by a translator familiar with chemical safety documents is strongly recommended for CLASS Regulations 2013 compliance.

Do you offer urgent or same-day SDS translation?

Yes, subject to workload availability. Urgent projects may carry an additional surcharge. Contact us via WhatsApp to confirm current availability before submitting an urgent request.

People also ask

Is it compulsory to have an SDS in Bahasa Melayu in Malaysia?

Yes. Under CLASS Regulations 2013 issued by DOSH under OSHA 1994, all hazardous chemical Safety Data Sheets in Malaysia must be provided in both Bahasa Melayu and English. A bilingual SDS is a legal requirement. Importers, manufacturers, and suppliers who provide only an English-language SDS are not compliant and may be subject to DOSH enforcement action including fines.

What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) used for?

A Safety Data Sheet provides detailed information about the hazards, safe handling, first aid, storage, disposal, and regulatory classification of a hazardous chemical. In Malaysia, SDS must be provided by manufacturers, importers, and suppliers under CLASS Regulations 2013, and must be available to employees who work with the chemical.

What are the 16 sections of a Safety Data Sheet?

A GHS SDS has 16 sections in a fixed order: (1) Identification, (2) Hazard Identification, (3) Composition, (4) First-Aid Measures, (5) Firefighting, (6) Accidental Release, (7) Handling & Storage, (8) Exposure Controls/PPE, (9) Physical & Chemical Properties, (10) Stability & Reactivity, (11) Toxicology, (12) Ecology, (13) Disposal, (14) Transport, (15) Regulatory Information, (16) Other Information. The fixed order is mandatory under GHS.

What is CLASS Regulations 2013 in Malaysia?

CLASS Regulations 2013 is the OSH (Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheet of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013 issued by DOSH under OSHA 1994. It implements the UN GHS chemical classification and hazard communication system in Malaysia, requiring bilingual SDS (Malay and English), GHS-compliant labels, and annual chemical inventory (CIMS) reporting for manufacturers and importers of one metric tonne or more per year.

Who is responsible for providing bilingual SDS in Malaysia — the manufacturer or importer?

Under CLASS Regulations 2013, both manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals are responsible. If an overseas manufacturer provides only an English-language or non-GHS-format SDS, the Malaysian importer or distributor is responsible for ensuring the SDS is translated and updated to CLASS 2013 / GHS format before the chemical is used or sold in Malaysia.

What language does SDS need to be in for export to the EU?

For export to EU member states, SDS must be in the official language of the destination member state under REACH Annex II. A German export requires a German SDS; a French export requires a French SDS. A single English-language SDS does not meet EU REACH requirements for non-English-speaking member states. Each destination country requires a separate translation.

Can machine translation or AI be used for SDS compliance in Malaysia?

Not recommended. GHS hazard statements (H-codes), precautionary statements (P-codes), and regulatory references have standardised translations that machine tools render inconsistently. An SDS with mistranslated hazard statements could mislead workers and create DOSH compliance gaps. Human translation by subject-matter translators is the appropriate approach for CLASS Regulations 2013 compliance.

 
What is the Malay term for Safety Data Sheet?

The official Malay term for Safety Data Sheet is Helaian Data Keselamatan (HDK). The older term used when the document was called MSDS was Helaian Data Keselamatan Bahan (HDKB). Under CLASS Regulations 2013, the correct current terminology is Helaian Data Keselamatan (HDK). Malaysian bilingual SDS documents typically carry both the English and Malay titles at the top of the document.

How much does SDS translation cost in Malaysia?

SDS translation in Malaysia starts from approximately RM0.30 per word for standard English to Bahasa Melayu translation. A typical single-product SDS of 1,500 to 3,000 words costs approximately RM450 to RM900. Multi-document portfolios are quoted per project, often at lower per-word rates for volume. Prices vary by language pair, technical complexity, formatting, and turnaround.

What is the difference between GHS and REACH for SDS?

GHS is the UN framework for chemical hazard classification defining the 16-section SDS format used globally, including Malaysia under CLASS Regulations 2013. REACH is the EU-specific chemical regulation that incorporates and extends GHS for chemicals sold in the EU. Both require a 16-section SDS, but REACH Annex II adds EU-specific requirements including language localisation for each member state and exposure scenario annexes for substances requiring a chemical safety assessment.

Ready to translate your

SDS / MSDS?

Send us your SDS files, target languages, and deadline. We’ll respond with a quote and timeline within a few hours.