Overview
Chemical Management System (CMS) is the Lab’s primary chemical inventory system. From initial chemical purchase through chemical use and eventual disposal, CMS provides critical information about chemicals used at the Lab. An accurate chemical inventory helps ensure a safe workplace for ourselves, colleagues, Berkeley neighbors, Emergency First Responders, and the environment.
It is ulitmately the chemical owner's responsibility to maintain an accurate and timely inventory of all hazardous chemicals in CMS. The chemical owner may choose to assign various tasks to chemical users, also known as proxies to the owner, but they cannot delegate their accountability for proper chemical management.
Submit additional FAQs by emailing cms@lbl.gov
Training Resources
January 2023
MAQ and HMBP Reports
Chemical Owner Termination Notification
March 2023
RFID Reconciliation App (Pilot)
DSC Proxy Management Privilege
June 2023
RFID Reconciliation App and Process Guidance Rollout
Time-sensitive Chemical Notifications
WPC Integration and Reports
September 2023
Waste Management System (WMS) Integration
User Dashboard and custom system notifications
Key System Improvements
CMS 2.0 offers more comprehensive hazard data, enhanced features, targeted notifications, and major system integrations. This new CMS system (implemented July 2022) is designed to be a more user-friendly database with enhanced features that will ease inventory management tasks and improve chemical stewardship throughout the entire lifecycle, from "cradle-to-grave". It is a web application hosted on the cloud, and can also be accessed on any mobile device using a browser. See details below.
Integration with FMS and Improved Chemical Approval Process
Key Benefits:
An improved hazard-based chemical screening and approval process will be initiated. Chemicals requiring Subject Matter Expert (SME) review and approval are routed automatically. This will reduce false positives routed for approval and minimize order delay.
CMS 2.0 creates a “new container record” at the point of purchase in FMS, rather than the responsible person waiting to enter the chemical when received, which helps improve chemical inventory accuracy.
What has Changed:
During checkout in FMS, the requester will be asked if they are purchasing any chemicals (aka hazardous chemicals required to be entered into CMS).
If YES, additional fields are required to complete the checkout. Some fields are populated automatically, and other fields require manual entry.
When a chemical is received, only the barcode/RFID tag will be required for container status to become “active”.
Review this info-graphic for the new process.
More Comprehensive Hazard Data and Hazard Prompts
Key Benefits:
More accurate hazard information for chemical mixtures
Better visibility of chemical hazard information and awareness of high hazard chemicals including time-sensitive chemicals
Addition of new hazard data fields supports various program requirements at the lab, including Emergency Management, Security, Fire Protection, and Waste Management
What has Changed:
Additional hazard information including GHS Hazard Pictograms, GHS Hazard Statements/H Codes, and embedded Pubchem links (when available)
Addition of Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazard information
Procurement features such as PO number and product number
Integrated Inventory Ownership Transfer Process
Key Benefits:
New chemical owners have better visibility of chemical hazards being transferred, and the system will automatically reject any unsafe chemicals (e.g. time sensitive chemicals that failed testing)
Formally accepting responsibility and accountability as a new Chemical Owner prevents buildup of "legacy" chemicals and reduces the Lab's overall risk
Ensure the new chemical owner has proper authorizations to work with high hazard chemicals (e.g. WPC Activity Manager Risk Level 3 Chemical Hazards) being transferred
What has Changed:
Chemical transfer requirements were updated and guidance was developed in mid-2021. The Chemical Acceptance Form is built in the system as part of the ownership transfer process in CMS 2.0.
CMS 2.0 will automatically check for high hazard chemicals and alert the new owners. All ownership transfer requests need to be accepted by the new owner.
Enhanced Time-Sensitive Chemical (TSC) Electronic Testing Features and Alerts
Key Benefits:
Timely notifications help you manage your time-sensitive chemicals and ensure actions are taken prior to reaching unsafe conditions
"Bulk Test" feature will save time recording assessment/test results
What has Changed:
TSC testing fields in the old CMS had limited functionality, and could only be updated one container at a time. CMS 2.0 has improved TSC testing features such as a "Bulk Test" option and enhanced notifications.
Use of CMS testing features is strongly encouraged to ensure that important and timely notifications are received. Updated requirements for using electronic testing are under development.
Option to keep "electronic only" testing logs will be allowed, consistent with our current requirements to "keep a separate but accessible log of all assessment/test results". Chemical containers must still have appropriate TSC warning labels (i.e. small warning label, or regular label with "see CMS" note over assessment/test log).
Inventory Reconciliation with RFID (Coming Summer 2023!)
Key Benefits:
New Android app designed to work on RFID devices to find/update containers will improve chemical inventory accuracy
What's Changing:
A new app designed to integrate with CMS 2.0 us under development and will be piloted in Spring 2023. Site-wide implementation and guidance is expected starting in Summer 2023.
Integration with Waste Management System (WMS) (Coming Soon!)
Key Benefits:
Initiate hazardous chemical waste requisition process from CMS; container data will be automatically transferred to WMS
Containers can be disposed in CMS using the RFID or mobile device
What's Changing:
This feature will be added after rollout. More details coming soon.
Integration with Work Planning and Control Activity Manager (WPC AM) (Coming Soon!)
Key Benefits:
Facilitate completion of the hazards itemization table, a.k.a. the "orange waffle".
What's Changing:
This feature will be added after rollout. More details coming soon.