What the safety data sheet for your fragrance oil tells you
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A fragrance oil's safety data sheet (SDS) tells you what the oil can do to you, what to do if it gets on your skin or in your eyes, how to store it, its flash point, and how it is classed for transport. For most makers, five of its sixteen sections matter every day: section 2 (hazards), section 4 (first aid), section 7 (handling and storage), section 8 (protective equipment) and section 9 (flash point and other properties), with section 14 when you ship oil. The example oil on this page is classed as a skin sensitizer, which is why gloves are on its sheet. Below, a real SDS read section by section, and OSHA's duties once you have employees.
Where the format comes from
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) sets a 16-section format for safety data sheets [1]. Suppliers prepare them; you receive one with each oil, or download it from the product page. OSHA states that because other agencies regulate their content, it does not enforce sections 12 through 15 [1].
The example on this page is AFI-USA's SDS for its fragrance oil F67142, version 3, issue date August 11, 2026 [2]. Its own heading says it was prepared "In accordance with UN GHS latest edition" [2]. Your oils' sheets will differ in detail, so read each one.
The sixteen sections, and what to look for
| Section (OSHA title) [1] | What it is for | What to look for as a candle maker | In the AFI F67142 example [2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identification | Product, supplier, emergency contact, recommended use | That the product name and code match your bottle | "Compare to aroma FRENCH MARKET by Lone Star Candle," code F67142; recommended use: fragrances |
| 2. Hazard(s) identification | Classification, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements | Whether it is a skin sensitizer or flammable; the signal word | Skin irritation Category 3, eye irritation Category 2, skin sensitization Category 1; signal word "Warning" |
| 3. Composition | Hazardous ingredients and their ranges | Which named materials drive the hazards | Read on your own oil's sheet |
| 4. First-aid measures | What to do for each route of exposure | Skin and eye steps, and when to get medical help | Skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. Eyes: rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Swallowed: rinse mouth and obtain medical attention |
| 5. Fire-fighting measures | Extinguishing media and fire hazards | What the supplier says will put out a fire involving the oil | Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam |
| 6. Accidental release measures | Spill steps and cleanup | How to clean up a spill | Read on your own oil's sheet |
| 7. Handling and storage | Safe handling, storage conditions, incompatibilities | Where and how to keep the oil | Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames and hot surfaces; store in a well-ventilated place; keep container tightly closed; keep cool |
| 8. Exposure controls/personal protection | Exposure limits, ventilation, protective equipment | Gloves, eye protection, respirator advice | Protective gloves, eye and face protection; an approved respirator with organic vapour cartridge may be used |
| 9. Physical and chemical properties | Appearance, flash point, density and more | Flash point (for shipping and storage); relative density (to convert volume to weight) | Flash point above 93°C (above 200°F) |
| 10. Stability and reactivity | Stability and conditions to avoid | Anything about heat or light | "Good stability under normal storage conditions" |
| 11. Toxicological information | Health effects and routes of exposure | Sensitization, irritation | Skin sensitization Category 1; "This mixture has not been tested as a whole for health effects" |
| 12. Ecological information | Environmental effects | Aquatic hazard (affects disposal) | Hazard statements include toxic and harmful to aquatic life |
| 13. Disposal considerations | How to dispose of it | Where the oil and its empty containers may go, and whether the drain or household trash is ruled out | Dispose of contents and container at an approved site under local rules (P501) |
| 14. Transport information | UN number, hazard class for shipping | Whether the oil ships as a hazardous material | "Not classified" under UN model, sea, road and air regulations |
| 15. Regulatory information | Other laws that apply | Any state or national listing | "Components listed on California's SB312" |
| 16. Other information | Date of preparation or last revision | That the sheet is current | Issue date 08/11/2026; version 3 (06/06/2026) |
Reading the hazard statements
Section 2 uses coded statements. The H codes say what the hazard is; the P codes say what to do. The AFI example carries these [2]:
- H317, "May cause an allergic skin reaction." This is the skin sensitizer warning. Treat every skin contact as one to avoid.
- H316, "Causes mild skin irritation," and H319, "Causes serious eye irritation." Splashes matter.
- H401 and H412, toxic and harmful to aquatic life. These shape disposal.
- P280, "Wear protective gloves/eye protection/face protection."
- P261, "Avoid breathing vapour or dust," and P272, contaminated work clothing should not leave the workplace.
- P333/313, if skin irritation or rash occurs, get medical advice or attention.
The sheet does not say what glove material to use. Glove materials differ in how they hold up to particular chemicals; if the sheet is silent, ask the supplier which glove they recommend for that oil. The rest of the protective kit, and burn first aid, are on protecting yourself from hot wax and fragrance oil.
When something goes wrong
Follow section 4 of the oil's own sheet. For the AFI example [2]:
- On skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. If irritation or a rash develops, get medical advice.
- In eyes: rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. If irritation persists, get medical advice.
- Breathed in: move to fresh air, rest, and get medical attention.
- Swallowed: rinse the mouth with water and get medical attention. If a child or anyone else swallows fragrance oil, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or emergency services straight away and have the SDS in hand. Poison Control says its help is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, by phone or through its online tool [5].
Keep a printed copy of each oil's sheet where you work. In an emergency you or a medical professional will want section 3 and section 4 quickly.
Flash point, storage and transport on the sheet
Section 9 gives the flash point, the figure that decides how the oil ships and how strictly it must be stored. It does not decide when you add the oil to wax; that comes from the wax's data sheet, as what a fragrance oil's flash point means explains with the USPS and DOT definitions. Section 7 gives the storage conditions, and section 14 tells you whether the oil is regulated for transport. An oil with a flash point above 200°F, like the AFI example, is shown as not classified for transport [2].
Section 9 also gives relative density, which you need if you buy an oil by volume and weigh it into wax. Grams per milliliter is close to the relative density figure.
What OSHA requires once you have employees
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard places duties on employers. Its small entity compliance guide summarizes four [3]:
- A written hazard communication program, including a list of the hazardous chemicals in the workplace. The standard says employers "shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program" [4].
- Labels on containers of hazardous chemicals in the workplace, including the bottles you decant oil into.
- A safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical you use, kept in the workplace and "readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s)" [4].
- Training on the hazards of the chemicals in the work area and how to protect against them, given at the time of an employee's initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced [4].
OSHA amended the standard in 2024 (89 FR 44144, May 20, 2024, effective July 19, 2024), with later amendments listed through January 15, 2026 [4]. If you are hiring your first employee, read OSHA's current text or call OSHA before the person starts. The OSHA pages cited here do not address a one-person business with no employees, so ask OSHA if you are unsure whether the standard applies to you. Hiring in general is covered on hiring help.
Even without employees, keeping every sheet is good practice. Retailers, insurers and co-packers may ask for them, and they belong in your records next to each oil's IFRA certificate.
Checking that a sheet is current
- Section 16 shows the preparation or revision date and often a version number. Keep the latest.
- When a supplier reformulates an oil, the sheet changes. Download it again when you reorder.
- File each sheet by oil name and supplier code with the matching IFRA certificate, as set out on records a candle business keeps.
Gearing up for the next pour
Section 8 of your sheet tells you what to wear. Turn that into a working kit with protecting yourself from hot wax and fragrance oil, which covers gloves, eye protection and burn first aid.
References
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Hazard Communication Safety Data Sheets (QuickCard), OSHA 3493-08R, 2024. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3493QuickCardSafetyDataSheet.pdf
- AFI-USA, Safety Data Sheet F67142 (fragrance oil), version 3, issue date August 11, 2026. https://www.afi-usa.com/F2/Reports/pdf/REPORT_SDS_F67142.pdf
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Hazard Communication: Small Entity Compliance Guide for Employers That Use Hazardous Chemicals, OSHA 3695-03, 2014. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3695.pdf
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard Communication, as amended through 91 FR 1696 (January 15, 2026), read October 22, 2026. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200
- Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center), Essential oils: Poisonous when misused, undated (© 2012-2026), read October 22, 2026. https://www.poison.org/articles/essential-oils
