Safety data sheet reference · CAS 7681-52-9
Sodium hypochlorite SDS
also: sodium hypochlorite MSDS · safety data sheet · NaOCl · CAS 7681-52-9 · EC 231-668-3 · bleach · liquid chlorine
Official PDF from supplier
This page is a reference, not the legal document.
CAS number
7681-52-9
EC number
231-668-3
CLP Annex VI index
017-011-00-1
Molecular formula
ClNaO
Structural formula
NaOCl
Molar mass
74.44 g/mol
§ 02 · Hazards identification
Sodium hypochlorite harmonised EU classification
CLP Annex VI · Index 017-011-00-1. A supplier SDS may add self-classified hazards — this is the legal minimum.
Concentration / form dependent — CLP Note B
Sodium hypochlorite is placed on the market in different concentrations or forms whose classification can differ. This page shows the harmonised Annex VI entry for the substance as such — always match the supplier's SDS to the concentration and form you actually use.
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
Sodium hypochlorite structure
Sodium hypochlorite is an ionic compound — there is no discrete NaOCl molecule. The diagram shows the ions the crystal lattice is built from.
Ions of sodium hypochlorite · NaOCl
Identifiers from PubChem (NIH, public domain). Structure diagram drawn with RDKit from the SMILES string.
§ 04 · First-aid measures
Sodium hypochlorite 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 SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE. 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.
INHALATION
Sips of milk or other demulcent.
EYES
Flush with plenty of water for 15 minutes.
SKIN
Wash contaminated area with soap and water.
INGESTION
Induce vomiting, give water.
Source: USCG, 1999 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain.
§ 05 · Fire-fighting measures
Sodium hypochlorite fire fighting measures
ERG 2024 · GUIDE 154 Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)ERG guidance is written per response guide, not per substance — Guide 154 covers every material assigned to it, so a few sentences reference other UN numbers in the same group.
Fire and explosion hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Store in a cool, dark place, away from combustible materials. Emits chlorine gas when burned.
Behavior in Fire: May decompose, generating irritating chlorine gas.
Extinguishing media and tactics
Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Amines and oxidizable material such as oxalic acid. May produce explosive chloroamines with amines.
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Chemical, CO2, foam, or water in flooding quantities.
Source: USCG, 1999 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE.
§ 06 · Accidental release measures
Sodium hypochlorite spill and leak response
Containment and clean-up
Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Sodium disulfite; hypo isulfite.
Initial isolation and evacuation
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASUREIsolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
SPILLIncrease the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
FIREIf tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
Source: USCG, 1999 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE.
§ 07 · Handling and storage
Sodium hypochlorite computed storage compatibility
Derived from CLP Annex VI classification and CAMEO reactive-group data — not copied from a PDF.
⚠ Strong Oxidizing Agent
⛔ Never store with
↔ Keep separate
Full interactive verdict — reactions, gas release on contact, ADR forms →
§ 09 · Physical and chemical properties
Sodium hypochlorite physical properties
Source: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain); per-value source references stored in the database.
§ 10 · Stability and reactivity
Reactive group (CAMEO/NOAA): Oxidizing Agents, Strong, Salts, Basic, Water and Aqueous Solutions. Our database documents 92 incompatible and 46 caution reaction-partner groups for sodium hypochlorite — including which combinations release gas on contact. See the per-partner breakdown with gas release →
92
Incompatible
46
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
Sodium hypochlorite 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 "sodium hypochlorite MSDS" and a "sodium hypochlorite SDS" refer to the same document — today it is issued as an SDS. Full breakdown of the differences →
Other oxidizers in our database
Substance profile
What sodium hypochlorite 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 sodium hypochlorite
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 sodium hypochlorite
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 "sodium hypochlorite MSDS" is today issued as an SDS.
What GHS pictograms does sodium hypochlorite require?
Under the harmonised EU classification (CLP Annex VI), sodium hypochlorite carries GHS05 and GHS09 with the signal word "Danger". Hazard statements: H314, H318, H400, H410. A supplier's SDS may add self-classified hazards on top of this harmonised minimum.
What should sodium hypochlorite never be stored with?
Based on its storage class (Oxidizers), sodium hypochlorite must not share storage with: Cyanides & sulfides; Flammable liquids; Flammable solids; Mineral acids; Organic acids; Organic peroxides & self-reactives; Reactive metals; Water-reactives. Verify against the supplier's SDS sections 7 and 10 before finalising storage.
Where can I download an official sodium hypochlorite 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.
Call emergency services first
112 in the EU · 911 in the US. This screen is published response information, not medical advice, and it does not replace emergency services, a poison centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
Text below is the CAMEO Chemicals entry SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE — confirm it matches the form in front of you.
01 · First aid
What to do for the person
INHALATION
Sips of milk or other demulcent.
EYES
Flush with plenty of water for 15 minutes.
SKIN
Wash contaminated area with soap and water.
INGESTION
Induce vomiting, give water.
02 · Fire
Extinguishing and tactics
Fire and explosion hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Store in a cool, dark place, away from combustible materials. Emits chlorine gas when burned.
Behavior in Fire: May decompose, generating irritating chlorine gas.
Extinguishing media and tactics
Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Amines and oxidizable material such as oxalic acid. May produce explosive chloroamines with amines.
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Chemical, CO2, foam, or water in flooding quantities.
03 · Spill
Containment, isolation, evacuation
Containment and clean-up
Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Sodium disulfite; hypo isulfite.
Initial isolation and evacuation
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASUREIsolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
SPILLIncrease the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
FIREIf tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
Sources: ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Text reproduced verbatim.