The key components to OSHA's acceptance of electronic access are going to be difficult for many companies to achieve. The first component will be the hardest to achieve, because a worker's computer phobia can operate as a barrier. Several commercial ventures offer Internet access to MSDSs. The free Web site claims to provide access to 850,000 MSDSs from more than 800 manufacturers who are charged initial setup fees plus monthly charges to post their documents. Additional links are also provided to other public or governmental databases.
Users can look up documents for a specific manufacturer or chemical.
On an international level, a coalition of 10 countries, including involvement by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, has developed International Chemical Safety Cards. The layout of the International Chemical Safety Cards has been designed so that information is presented in a uniform format using standardized phrases. On a federal level, in 1998's 105th Congress, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4037, which addresses electronic forms of MSDSs. It would require OSHA to recognize that electronic access provides the same level of access to information as paper copies. Similar California legislation has been introduced in 1998 and against in 1999, designated as A.B. No. 184.