Translating for the EU Industry: Working with Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Over the past few years I have often been asked to translate a document characterised by a very precise structure and content: the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). I understood why soon enough: in light of the daily usage several professional sectors make of hazardous chemicals, legislators have intensified not only the approval of laws and regulations aimed at protecting people and the environment, but also the harmonisation of classification and labelling systems for substances and mixtures. At a European level this has led, among other things, to the development of communication tools about dangers and countermeasures that must be written according to specific rules across the entire EU and must be "supplied in an official language of the Member State(s) where the substance or preparation is placed on the market". Safety Data Sheets are one main example of such tools.

This webinar aims at exploring the characteristics of a Safety Data Sheet, highlighting the difficulties inherent in its translation and describing some essential strategies for ensuring that SDS translations into any EU official language are not only correct and precise, but also – and more importantly – comply with the law.

Training program:

* Safety Data Sheets (SDSs): A Brief Introduction
* Legal Bases: Translators Beware!
* The Obstacle Course of "Mandatory Copying and Pasting"...
* … and How to Deal with Texts Left to Our "Free Will"
* Referring to Reliable Websites: Which and How

This webinar was conceived for professionals who:
• translate into any of the EU official languages;
• consider quality and accuracy essential elements of their professional activity;
• want to acquire the necessary skills to provide a highly demanded service in the industrial and commercial sector.

This webinar aims at helping translators:
• familiarise themselves with the typical format of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS);
• identify and find the EU legal texts upon which their translation must necessarily be based;
• effectively manage references to regulations by non-EU bodies;
• direct and focus their terminological and conceptual research on reliable sources.

Attendees need not worry about any other prerequisite aside from being able to follow a webinar delivered in English.

• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs): A Brief Introduction
• Legal Basis: Translators Beware!
• The Obstacle Course of "Mandatory Copying and Pasting"...
• … and How to Deal with Texts Left to Our "Free Will"
• Referring to Reliable Websites: Which and How

To purchase your seat at this session please click on the "buy" button. Available slots are limited and will be assigned to registered and paid participants as soon as payment is reported. Early payment is advised in order to secure participation. Allow some time for payment processing if you are paying by wire transfer.

After your payment is received, your status will be changed to “registered and paid” and your spot for the session will be secured. An invoice and receipt of payment will be sent to you for your records.

How do I access the online platform?

72 hours before the webinar takes place, you will receive an invitation to join the session. Please, click the registration link or button provided in the invitation email and complete the registration form.

For PC-based Users:

• Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
• Required: Internet Explorer® 7.0 or newer, Mozilla® Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection
• Recommended: Dual-core 2.4GHz CPU or faster with 2GB of RAM (recommended)

For Mac®-based Users:

• Required: OS X 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks and 10.10 Yosemite
• Required: Safari™ 3.0 or newer, Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection
• Required: Intel processor (1GB of RAM or better recommended)

To Use VoIP (microphone and speakers or headset):

• Required: Fast Internet connection (384 kbps or more recommended)
• Required: speakers or headset (USB headset recommended)
• NOT required: Microphone - attendees can communicate with the trainer through incorporated chat.

Recommendations

• For the visual section of the training course, we recommend that you have a 64kbps link. This means using an ISDN line or Broadband. Wireless connection is NOT recommended.
• For the audio section of the training course, we recommend that you have a headset or speakers.
• We recommend that you log in 30 minutes in advance of the start time to prepare for the training course.

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Elisa Farina    View feedback | View all courses

Bio: Elisa Farina è attiva nel campo della traduzione, dell’interpretazione, della revisione e dell’insegnamento dal 2009. Di madrelingua italiana, conta tra le proprie lingue di lavoro lo spagnolo, il tedesco, l’inglese e il francese. Nel corso della propria esperienza professionale, ha avuto modo di specializzarsi in particolare negli ambiti della tecnica, del turismo e della politica, imparando ad affrontare sfide assai diverse, ma in egual modo entusiasmanti. Elisa Farina has been working as a professional translator, interpreter, proofreader and teacher since 2009. She is a native Italian speaker and her working languages are English, Spanish, German and French. Over the years she has had the opportunity to specialize in the technical, tourist and political fields, learning to deal with very different but equally exciting challenges.