If I could describe an ideal scenario for chemical inventory tracking, I would like all departments to have Standard Work Procedures and outline what chemicals are used in each standard work. Then as the SWP is updated annually the chemical inventory would also be updated when there are changes in types of chemicals used and elimination of chemicals in the process. Ideally SWPs would be electronic and linked to a digital SDS which could then feed into an SDS database that could be filtered by department or location. BUT... we know this is not an ideal world haha. At my current job we use a process that is similar to this for chemicals purchased for research purposes. When a researcher wants to purchase a chemical they must obtain approval from EHS beforehand and if the chemical is hazardous they have to offer us the SOP for the process in which the chemical will be used which also has to identify where they will store/dispose of them. Each lab keeps track of the chemicals they use and we review their inventory when we do their lab assessment. We have somewhat of a SDS inventory but like most things, it could be improved.

Make sure chemical's SDS are looked at every 3 years, to add updated SDS. We make our chemicals "expire" in the system every 3 years so the requester has to say if the chemical is still in use or not used anymore. If still in use, the requester has to submit an updated SDS if possible, to be able to re-purchase.

We use an electronic based system to store our SDS's and GHS Labels. They are stored in an application within the system employees use every day to keep track of their tasks. Makes it nice to have it all accessible to them if they need it.

I also maintain an Excel Spreadsheet with each chemical and more information about them for reporting purposes.