Safety data sheet reference · CAS 64-18-6

Formic acid SDS

also: formic acid MSDS · safety data sheet · HCOOH · CAS 64-18-6 · EC 200-579-1 · methanoic acid

Danger · Flam. Liq. 3 · Met. Corr. 1 Category 3 · Acute Tox. 4 · Skin Corr. 1 · +1

Flame GHS02 Corrosion GHS05 Skull and Crossbones GHS06

Official PDF from supplier

Sigma-Aldrich ↗ Fisher Scientific ↗ Carl Roth ↗

This page is a reference, not the legal document.

CAS number

64-18-6

EC number

200-579-1

CLP Annex VI index

607-001-00-0

Molecular formula

CH2O2

Molar mass

46.025 g/mol

§ 02 · Hazards identification

Harmonised EU classification

CLP Annex VI · Index 607-001-00-0. A supplier SDS may add self-classified hazards — this is the legal minimum.

H226 Flammable liquid and vapour. Flammable liquid — Category 3 (Flam. Liq. 3)

H290 May be corrosive to metals. Corrosive to metals — Category 1 (Met. Corr. 1)

H302 Harmful if swallowed. Acute toxicity, oral — Category 4 (Acute Tox. 4)

H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Skin corrosion — Category 1 (Skin Corr. 1)

H318 Causes serious eye damage. Serious eye damage — Category 1 (Eye Dam. 1)

H331 Toxic if inhaled. Acute toxicity, inhalation — Category 3

Precautionary statements

P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.

P233 Keep container tightly closed.

P241 Use explosion-proof equipment.

P242 Use non-sparking tools.

P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.

P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P301 IF SWALLOWED: call a POISON CENTER or doctor if you feel unwell.

P304 IF INHALED: remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.

P305 IF IN EYES: rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.

P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor.

P312 Call a POISON CENTER or doctor if you feel unwell.

P330 Rinse mouth.

P331 Do NOT induce vomiting.

P338 Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.

P403 Store in a well-ventilated place.

§ 07 · Handling and storage

Computed storage verdict

Never store with 6 storage groups Flammable liquids Organic acids Acute toxics

Derived from CLP Annex VI classification and CAMEO reactive-group data — not copied from a PDF.

⛔ Never store with

Bases Cyanides & sulfides Organic peroxides & self-reactives Oxidizing acids Oxidizers Water-reactives

↔ Keep separate

Flammable liquids Flammable solids Compressed gases Mineral acids Organic acids Reactive metals Acute toxics

Full interactive verdict — reactions, gas release on contact, ADR forms →

§ 09 · Physical and chemical properties

Measured properties

Fire-relevant values first — flash point and explosion limits decide the storage and ventilation regime.

Flash point

68.9 °C

Explosion limits

18 – 57 %

LEL / UEL in air, vol.

Autoignition

601.1 °C

Melting point 8.4 °C

Boiling point 100.7 °C

Relative density (water = 1) 1.22

Source: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain); per-value source references stored in the database.

§ 10 · Stability and reactivity

Reactive group (CAMEO/NOAA): Acids, Carboxylic. Our database documents 22 incompatible and 19 caution reaction-partner groups for formic acid — including which combinations release gas on contact. See the per-partner breakdown with gas release →

Incompatible

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.

§ 14 · Transport information

Road transport — ADR 2025

UN number

UN 1779

Proper shipping name

FORMIC ACID with more than 85 % acid by mass

Class · PG

8 · II

Classification code

CF1

Transport category

ADR labels

8, 3

Hazard ID (Kemler) / UN plate

83

1779

Top: hazard identification number (Kemler). Bottom: UN number — as carried on the orange plate of the transport unit.

UN number

UN 3412

Proper shipping name

FORMIC ACID with not less than 10 % but not more than 85 % acid by mass

Class · PG

8 · II

Classification code

Transport category

ADR labels

Hazard ID (Kemler) / UN plate

80

3412

Top: hazard identification number (Kemler). Bottom: UN number — as carried on the orange plate of the transport unit.

UN number

UN 3412

Proper shipping name

FORMIC ACID with not less than 5 % but less than 10 % acid by mass

Class · PG

8 · III

Classification code

Transport category

ADR labels

Hazard ID (Kemler) / UN plate

80

3412

Top: hazard identification number (Kemler). Bottom: UN number — as carried on the orange plate of the transport unit.

Source: UN ADR 2025 (ECE/TRANS/352), Table A. Road (ADR) only — for sea (IMDG) and air (IATA), consult the supplier's SDS §14.

MSDS vs SDS

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 "formic acid MSDS" and a "formic acid SDS" refer to the same document — today it is issued as an SDS. Full breakdown of the differences →

Other flammable liquids in our database

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 formic acid

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
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 2026-07-27.

Frequently asked questions

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 "formic acid MSDS" is today issued as an SDS.

What GHS pictograms does formic acid require?

Under the harmonised EU classification (CLP Annex VI), formic acid carries GHS02 and GHS05 and GHS06 with the signal word "Danger". Hazard statements: H226, H290, H331, H302, H314, H318. A supplier's SDS may add self-classified hazards on top of this harmonised minimum.

What should formic acid never be stored with?

Based on its storage classes (Flammable liquids, Organic acids, Acute toxics), formic acid must not share storage with: Bases; Cyanides & sulfides; Organic peroxides & self-reactives; Oxidizing acids; Oxidizers; Water-reactives. Verify against the supplier's SDS sections 7 and 10 before finalising storage.

Where can I download an official formic acid 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.