COA vs SDS vs TDS — What Every Chemical Buyer Needs to Know
When you order chemicals from a supplier, you should expect to receive three distinct types of technical documents: a Certificate of Analysis (COA), a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and a Technical Data Sheet (TDS). Each serves a different purpose — and knowing the difference helps you use them correctly and identify gaps in supplier quality management.
Document Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | COA | SDS | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Certificate of Analysis | Safety Data Sheet | Technical Data Sheet |
| Batch-Specific? | Yes — per lot/batch | No — per product | No — per product |
| Mandatory? | For most quality systems | Yes — regulatory requirement | No — commercial best practice |
| GHS/Regulatory Standard? | No — varies by supplier | Yes — 16-section GHS format | No — supplier format |
| Primary Purpose | Quality verification | Safety and regulatory compliance | Application and performance guidance |
| Who Issues? | Manufacturer or distributor | Manufacturer | Manufacturer or distributor |
| Update Frequency | Every batch | Every 5 years or on change | On product change |
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
What It Is
A COA is a batch-specific quality document that confirms the actual laboratory test results of the specific shipment or production lot you are receiving. It is the primary tool for incoming quality control.
What a Good COA Contains
- Product name and CAS number
- Batch/lot number — must match the drum or IBC label
- Manufacturing date and expiry date
- Test parameters with specification limits and actual results
- Units and test methods (e.g. ASTM, ISO)
- Pass/Fail determination
- Authorised signatory from QC department
COA Red Flags
- No batch number, or batch number does not match the label
- Results that are identical across multiple batches (suggests results were copied, not measured)
- Results that always fall exactly at specification limits
- Missing test method references
- Issued by the distributor without reference to the manufacturer's COA
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
What It Is
An SDS is a standardised regulatory document that communicates the hazards of a chemical and how to handle it safely. Under the GHS system adopted by UAE (ESMA) and Saudi Arabia (SASO), all hazardous chemicals must have a 16-section GHS-compliant SDS. Read our full SDS guide →
When You Need the SDS
- Before storing a new chemical in your facility (Section 7 — storage requirements)
- Before training workers on the chemical (Section 8 — PPE requirements)
- For customs documentation on hazardous goods
- For civil defence or municipality inspection compliance
- For emergency response planning
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
What It Is
A TDS describes the typical technical and performance properties of a product — not safety information. It is the document you reach for when formulating, mixing, or specifying a chemical in a product or process.
What a TDS Typically Contains
- Typical physical properties (viscosity, density, colour, pH)
- Performance characteristics (e.g. minimum film formation temperature for emulsions)
- Recommended dosage or loading levels
- Compatible systems and incompatibilities
- Application guidelines
- Storage and shelf life recommendations
How Raykem Handles Documentation
Every chemical supplied by Raykem comes with:
- ✅ COA — batch-specific, from the manufacturer, with lot number matching the shipment
- ✅ SDS — current, GHS-compliant, in English
- ✅ TDS — where available from the manufacturer
- ✅ GHS-compliant label — on every drum, IBC, and bag
Documents can be requested before purchase for supplier qualification purposes. View Raykem's documentation standards → or email our team.