A Technical Data Sheet, or TDS, is a manufacturer-provided technical document used to summarize information about a product's properties, intended applications, performance characteristics or other technical details.
TDS content varies by product and manufacturer
A TDS may include product description, appearance, physical properties, compatible applications, storage information or performance data. The exact content and layout depend on the manufacturer and product type.
There is no OSHA 16-section TDS format
OSHA standardizes the structure of Safety Data Sheets under the Hazard Communication Standard. That same 16-section requirement does not define Technical Data Sheets.
A TDS is mainly a technical reference
Its purpose is usually to help readers understand product characteristics and intended technical context. It can support specification, maintenance or product-documentation workflows.
A TDS does not replace an SDS
If a hazardous chemical requires an SDS, the TDS is not a substitute for the regulated hazard-information document. Users should consult the SDS for workplace hazard communication.
A TDS also does not replace the product label
Where a label carries regulated directions or legal conditions of use, those requirements remain authoritative for the product.
Practical takeaway
A TDS explains technical product information; an SDS communicates standardized workplace hazards. They may complement each other, but they serve different purposes.
