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Manufacturers' and suppliers' safety data sheets vary enormously in quality, and while the best can be very important sources of information, the worst are neither accurate nor understandable. According to Bud Hudspith of the GPMU, "I am sorry to say that most suppliers' data sheets don't help much in doing COSHH assessments. We have a real problem in the supply chain. Information duties are often not met and are rarely enforced - it's a bit of a soft issue."

Because of this, and because of the large sums of money spent by UK chemical manufacturers on producing and distributing safety data sheets (some think at least £62 million) the HSE is planning to spend £2-3 million in 1999-2005 looking at getting chemical information to the right people in the right way. Although still at an early stage, the safety data sheet programme will look at current safety data sheet practices, and examine the best ways of communicating information on chemical hazards.

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