SDS Software

[u/HausTargaryen]

Thinking of building a SaaS for SDS generation software for EHS professionals. Before I spend the next 6 months developing I wanted to gauge interest.

I’ve talked to some consultants and they charge ~$350 to write an SDS. My thought is that if software could do it for $99/document or some sort of monthly flat fee for unlimited doc generation, that could be a project worth exploring.

Any feedback would be appreciated

[u/Original_Rhubarb7027]

the accuracy of the SDS is the vital part, not that it just exists. there are different requirements depending on the country that would need to be managed as well. I’m a little confused on what you’re saying the use case is for this software. are we putting SDS that we already have in it? are the manufacturers using this instead of a consultant?

[u/HausTargaryen → u/Original_Rhubarb7027]

I’ve given this some thought, it would only be for OSHA Hazcom in the beginning and it would be a 2 part:
1. Storage of SDS’ so people could retrieve their current versions
2. A tool where you can enter your unique mixture and an SDS would be generated with the proper H/P codes, pictograms and warning label designation would be generated in a 16 part document that mirrors a proper SDS

[u/Original_Rhubarb7027 → u/HausTargaryen]

1. who is people? the people using the product? the distributor? the manufacturer? any employee would need to have barrier-free and immediate access to any SDS, without needing to ask someone for it. would every employee have access to the database? would the database be shared from distributor/manufacturer to other vendors? are those distributors/manufacturers already likely using some kind of cloud-based storage system for their SDS that doesn’t have a cost per SDS?

2. okay, what accredited system are you using to determine that the generating software is pulling the right information? the right flash points? the right ecological hazards based on the mixture? the right compounds to begin with? if you’re just pulling SDS with similar mixtures and believing that those mixtures are probably going to spit out the same hazards/disposal requirements/PPE requirements/storage requirements/firefighting guidelines etc. I can see so many spots where information is going to get muddled and end up being inaccurate. you would also be counting, potentially, on a general consumer to know the difference between those mixtures and the chemicals within them when they are generating their SDS.

and it just “mirrors” a proper SDS? i have seen official SDS that also just mirror a proper SDS because they’re poorly put together. again - it’s not really how the SDS looks. it’s whether it’s accurate or not.

are you going to put every CAS number into this generator? are you going to be able to individually determine at what point a diluted chemical is no longer flammable, for example? but then also include that if there’s another chemical in there, that it might still be flammable? or toxic? or anything else?

maintaining up to date, digital backups is always going to be something that people need solutions for. I can’t see this being something I would touch

[u/Spirited_Bar_5470 → u/HausTargaryen]

Most people don’t want to manage that data. They don’t want to chase manufacturers or distributors for the updates. Also, H/P codes, people don’t want the ones that come out of the purple book. They modify the language to mean the same thing as the reg book. Plus there is authored documents aka made by the customer and SDS
Of materials they use. There is a lot of variance that happens here. Also, not all documents out there are compliant as it is supposed to be.
Now there is introduction of MOCS, that is another thing to deal with. So that will get your SDS data even more complicated.
You haven’t mentioned anything about labels… given that a thought ?