What Is a Chemical Inventory?
A chemical inventory is a list of chemical substances which are recorded in an organized way.
A regulatory chemical inventory is a national or regional list of chemicals that are covered by a chemical regulatory regime. These lists can be consulted to determine whether a certain substance is already on the market in a country and what kind of notification, registration or assessment is required by authorities.
A facility chemical inventory is a list of all the chemicals that a facility stores, uses or handles in a laboratory, a plant, a warehouse, etc.
The RRMA Inventory Check is focused on regulatory chemical inventories for markets all over the world.
Why Is a Chemical Inventory Check Important?
Chemical regulations vary significantly between countries.
A chemical can have entirely different status in other countries and international companies therefore must not make assumptions as to the status of a chemical in a certain country based on the status in another country.
A chemical inventory search can support:
- market entry assessments
- chemical import and export planning
- regulatory compliance checks
- supplier verification
- new substance evaluations
- chemical registration planning
- global chemical inventory research
The chemical inventory search is usually the first step to understand the legal requirements of a substance. A more detailed regulatory assessment is usually required before a substance can be manufactured or imported.
What Is a Global Chemical Inventory?
A Global Chemical Inventory is Chemical Inventory Information from several Countries or Regulatory Jurisdictions.
There is no single worldwide chemical inventory governing every substance.
Instead, each country will have its own set of chemical inventories, substance lists, and databases that govern chemicals within that country.
Examples of chemical inventory systems are those for the USA, China, Canada, Japan and South Korea to name but a few.
A global chemical inventory database can be useful in finding out where a substance is listed in order to then start searching the detailed requirements of the relevant countries one by one.
How to Use the RRMA Chemical Inventory Database
This simple search function is part of the RRMA Inventory Check.
Step 1: Identify the Substance
Start with the correct CAS number.
Accurate substance identification is important, since chemicals with similar names can be different substances.
Step 2: Enter the CAS Number
Enter the CAS number into the RRMA Chemical Inventory Search.
Step 3: Review the Available Inventory Information
Check if the chemical is listed on relevant markets and in the different regulatory inventories.
Step 4: Understand the Result
An inventory listing does not necessarily mean that the relevant authorities have approved all the required aspects in relation to the substance’s sale on the market.
Additional requirements may still apply.
Step 5: Review the Relevant Regulation
Note that if you intend to manufacture, import, export, distribute or market a chemical then the requirements of the country’s chemical control regulation(s) need to be reviewed in detail.
TSCA Chemical Inventory
The TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory is one of the best known national chemical inventories.
It is maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
The TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory contains all chemical substances that are considered to be existing chemical substances for TSCA purposes, subject to certain exemptions and exclusions from regulation.
Companies entering the U.S. market may use the TSCA chemical inventory as a first indicator to check if a substance is listed on the TSCA Inventory.
However, listing on the TSCA Inventory does not necessarily mean that all compliance requirements have been met for a particular chemical.
Additional requirements will apply based on the chemical in question, its intended use, whether it is regulated, and all other applicable EPA requirements in effect.
What Is a Chemical Inventory List?
A chemical inventory list is a structured list of all chemical substances and corresponding information.
Depending on its purpose, it may include:
- Chemical name
- CAS number
- Inventory status
- Substance identity
- Quantity
- Storage location
- Hazard information
- Regulatory status
This type of list helps companies determine if all substances subject to a country’s chemical control regulations are listed on a chemical inventory list.
A workplace chemical inventory list is used to list chemicals present at a workplace or facility.
Regulatory Chemical Inventory vs Hazardous Chemical Inventory
A hazardous chemical inventory typically is used to list all hazardous chemicals stored or used at a workplace.
It may support:
- workplace safety
- emergency response
- hazard communication
- storage management
- SDS availability
- regulatory reporting
A regulatory chemical inventory serves a different function.
It lists the substances on the chemical inventory (national or regional) and indicates whether special regulatory requirements have to be met in addition to the hazard control measures at the workplace.
The two types of lists should not be mixed up.
A chemical can be on a national chemical inventory and still require special control measures at a workplace.
What Is Chemical Inventory Management?
Chemical inventory management is the process of keeping an accurate record of all the chemicals an organization has and uses.
A chemical inventory management system may track:
- chemical identity
- CAS numbers
- quantities
- storage locations
- containers
- SDS information
- hazards
- purchasing
- disposal
These kinds of systems are used in many laboratories, as well as in manufacturing sites, universities, and industries.
The RRMA Inventory Check has a different purpose.
RRMA supports the regulatory chemical inventory research and does not replace the chemical inventory management system of a facility.
Why Chemical Inventory Information Matters for Global Business
When companies from around the world are expanding into new markets, chemical inventory information can be crucial.
Before introducing a chemical into a new country, businesses often need to understand:
- Is the chemical already listed?
- Which inventory applies?
- Could the substance be considered new?
- Does the inventory status trigger further regulatory action?
These questions are critical to determining a company’s registration strategy, planning of their supply chain, importing of raw materials and even the launch of new products.
A chemical inventory check can also indicate the regulatory status of a substance.
