Chemical Purchasing and Acquisition Institutional Expectations
Chemicals arrive at Berkeley Lab in one of three primary ways.
An individual decides to purchase a chemical, usually through eBuy or ePro.
A person decides to transport a chemical from UC Berkeley or a neighboring institution.
A person gives another institution permission to ship or transport a chemical to Berkeley Lab.
The same institutional expectations and requirements apply regardless of how a chemical is acquired and arrives at Berkeley Lab.
Institutional Expectations
Berkeley Lab expects staff to understand the risks of the chemicals they purchase or allow onsite, and to minimize the risks those chemicals bring through elimination, substitution, and reduction where feasible or necessary.
Berkeley expects staff making the decision to purchase or allow a chemical onsite to do the following:
Plan the work that requires the hazardous substance
Have a plan for the disposal of hazardous wastes
Prepare for the safe use and storage of the hazardous substance; Ensure
Needed safety controls are implemented, and
Workers are qualified
Know if chemicals are on the restricted items list and obtain institutional approval for the use of those chemicals including chemicals brought in from other institutions
Borrow what you need when possible
Use less hazardous substances when possible
Purchase only what is needed for the project; plan for minimum waste and leftover unused hazardous substances
Start using last of existing stock before buying new supplies (do not stockpile)
Chemical purchases should be carefully considered before an order is placed to prevent the accumulation of excess chemicals. Berkeley Lab also restricts the purchase of some chemicals to authorized users, and will conduct a brief review of each restricted purchase request submitted before the order is placed or allowed to proceed. This review ensures that all appropriate work authorizations are in place and that the group is fully prepared to store, handle, manage and eventually dispose of the chemical.
For more information about restricted chemicals, see Restricted Chemicals and Gases.
To see which chemicals require review and approval, see the Restricted Items List: CHEMR.
As mentioned, chemicals transported from UC Berkeley or neighboring institution and those shipped from other institutions are subject to the same requirements as chemicals purchased through Procurement channels like eBuy and ePro. Restricted chemicals and gases must be self-disclosed for proper review and approval, provided that self-transport or shipping is permitted.
For information on how to transport chemicals to and from other institutions, visit the Transportation of Hazardous Materials website. Questions should be directed to Facilities Shipping (shipping@lbl.gov).
To submit a CHEMR Restricted Items List chemical for review, send an email to chemr@lbl.gov or submit a request here.