Finding the Right Source
Use the source that answers your exact question, and check that its product, date, and intended use match your situation.
Choose by the question
| You need to know | Start here | Check the match |
|---|---|---|
| How a product is intended to be used | Current label and manufacturer instructions | Exact product, market, and directions |
| Handling, storage, or hazard information | Current safety data sheet | Supplier, product identifier, revision, and relevant section |
| Fragrance restrictions | Applicable IFRA guidance and supplier information | Mixture or raw material, intended use, and relevant restrictions |
| Device compatibility | Manual and manufacturer support | Model and permitted material |
| Shipping requirements | Carrier and applicable current requirements | Product, quantity, named service, and destination |
| A health or treatment claim | Appropriate clinical evidence and qualified advice | Product, route, population, outcome, and limits |
When two documents disagree
Write down the exact difference and both dates. Ask the issuer or an appropriate qualified professional which information applies. A newer document for a different product does not resolve the mismatch.
What a source note means
“Supports” identifies the point for which a reference is used. “Does not establish” prevents that point from being stretched into a broader promise. Product-specific documents you need to obtain are different from references the site has already checked.
Read the IFRA document guide for a worked example of that distinction, or the product-description guide to check a claim.