Safety data sheet reference · CAS 107-21-1
Ethylene glycol SDS
also: ethylene glycol MSDS · safety data sheet · HOCH2CH2OH · CAS 107-21-1 · EC 203-473-3 · MEG · antifreeze
Official PDF from supplier
This page is a reference, not the legal document.
CAS number
107-21-1
EC number
203-473-3
CLP Annex VI index
603-027-00-1
Molecular formula
C2H6O2
Structural formula
HOCH2CH2OH
Molar mass
62.07 g/mol
§ 02 · Hazards identification
Ethylene glycol harmonised EU classification
CLP Annex VI · Index 603-027-00-1. A supplier SDS may add self-classified hazards — this is the legal minimum.
Precautionary statements
Codes ending in a colon introduce the action that follows — on a label they are printed as combined statements, such as P305+P351+P338.
§ 03 · Composition and identifiers
Ethylene glycol molecular structure
Ethylene glycol is a molecular compound. The skeletal formula below is drawn from its PubChem SMILES string, and every value in this section is computed from that structure.
2D skeletal formula · HOCH2CH2OH
Functional group
alcohol
Hybridisation
C sp³ ×2 · O sp³ ×2
Electron count
26 valence e⁻ · 4 lone pairs
Identifiers from PubChem (NIH, public domain). Structure diagram drawn with RDKit from the SMILES string. Geometry and hybridisation are computed from the connection table, not measured.
§ 04 · First-aid measures
Ethylene glycol first aid measures
Call your national emergency number first. These are published first-aid measures, not medical advice, and they do not replace emergency services, a poison control centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
§4–§6 below reproduce the CAMEO Chemicals entry ETHYLENE GLYCOL. CAMEO publishes response data per product entry, so the entry can describe a solution, a refrigerated liquid or a molten form rather than the pure substance in §9 — check it matches what you are handling.
EYES
First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
SKIN
IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
INHALATION
IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.
Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain.
§ 05 · Fire-fighting measures
Ethylene glycol fire fighting measures
Fire and explosion hazard
This chemical is combustible.
Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: ETHYLENE GLYCOL.
§ 07 · Handling and storage
Ethylene glycol computed storage compatibility
Derived from CLP Annex VI classification and CAMEO reactive-group data — not copied from a PDF.
Full interactive verdict — reactions, gas release on contact, ADR forms →
§ 08 · Exposure controls
Ethylene glycol exposure limits (IDLH)
IDLH
NIOSH lists ethylene glycol in the Pocket Guide but has not established an IDLH value for it.
NIOSH Pocket Guide — Ethylene glycol →
IDLH from the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (CDC, U.S. public domain), via CAMEO Chemicals. Occupational exposure limits — OSHA PEL, NIOSH REL and EU IOELV — are not published on this page yet.
§ 09 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethylene glycol physical properties
Fire-relevant values first — flash point and explosion limits decide the storage and ventilation regime.
Flash point
111.1 °C
Autoignition
412.8 °C
Source: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain); per-value source references stored in the database.
§ 10 · Stability and reactivity
Reactive group (CAMEO/NOAA): Alcohols and Polyols. Our database documents 15 incompatible and 14 caution reaction-partner groups for ethylene glycol — including which combinations release gas on contact. See the per-partner breakdown with gas release →
15
Incompatible
14
Caution
§ 13 · Disposal considerations
Dispose of waste and residues in accordance with local and national regulations — in the EU under the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. Never discharge to drains or municipal waste; hand contaminated packaging and unused product to an authorised waste-disposal company. The supplier's SDS section 13 lists the applicable waste codes for the specific product.
MSDS vs SDS
Ethylene glycol MSDS vs SDS: is there a difference?
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the format is set by REACH Annex II. So a "ethylene glycol MSDS" and a "ethylene glycol SDS" refer to the same document — today it is issued as an SDS. Full breakdown of the differences →
Substance profile
What ethylene glycol is
Physical and chemical properties with the conditions each value was measured under, synonyms, formula and the harmonised CLP classification →
Compliance hub
From classification to SDS
The classification above corresponds to Section 2 of a Safety Data Sheet. Learn how a compliant 16-section SDS is structured and authored →
GHS label maker
Build the label for ethylene glycol
Pictograms, signal word and H-statements combined into a compliant label layout →
§ 16 · Sources
- Classification: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), Annex VI
- Transport: UN ADR 2025 (UNECE), Table A
- Reactivity: NOAA CAMEO Chemicals reactive-group matrix (public domain)
- Physical properties: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain) — per-value source references stored in the database
- Emergency response (§4–§6): ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), all US federal public domain, reproduced verbatim
- Substance data: PubChem · ECHA
Reference aid only. This page summarises the harmonised EU classification and computed storage guidance — it is not a Safety Data Sheet and does not replace one. Always verify hazards, handling and storage against the supplier's SDS (sections 7 and 10) and local regulations before use. Page updated 2026-08-11.
Frequently asked questions about ethylene glycol
Is an MSDS the same as an SDS?
In practice, yes. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the SDS format is set by REACH Annex II. A document you find labelled "ethylene glycol MSDS" is today issued as an SDS.
What GHS pictograms does ethylene glycol require?
Under the harmonised EU classification (CLP Annex VI), ethylene glycol carries GHS07 with the signal word "Warning". Hazard statements: H302. A supplier's SDS may add self-classified hazards on top of this harmonised minimum.
Where can I download an official ethylene glycol SDS PDF?
From your own supplier — an SDS is issued per product and supplier, so the correct PDF for an inspection is the one matching the product you actually purchased. The supplier links on this page lead to the official SDS libraries of major distributors.