What it means
ても差し支えない expresses that a condition or action will cause no problem and is therefore acceptable or permitted. It is commonly used to grant permission, acknowledge that a particular circumstance is acceptable, or state that a requirement does not matter. The expression is formal and somewhat restrained, making it common in written communication, official notices, and careful speech. Its polite counterpart is ても差し支えありません.
Usage note
This expression indicates acceptability or absence of a problem, not physical safety or guaranteed success. With a noun or a na-adjective, use でも差し支えない rather than ても差し支えない.
How to use it
申請者は代理人でも差し支えありません。
The applicant may be a representative.
この説明は簡単でも差し支えありません。
It is acceptable even if this explanation is simple.
この薬は少し苦くても差し支えありません。
It is acceptable even if this medicine is slightly bitter.
この資料は会議で使っても差し支えありません。
It is acceptable to use this material at the meeting.
申請者は代理人でも差し支えない。
The applicant may be a representative.
この説明は簡単でも差し支えない。
It is acceptable even if this explanation is simple.
この薬は少し苦くても差し支えない。
It is acceptable even if this medicine is slightly bitter.
この資料は会議で使っても差し支えない。
It is acceptable to use this material at the meeting.