The Importance of Compliance in Chemical Warehousing: Regulations You Must Know

Hazardous chemical materials are not stored or shipped in regular containers or boxes; they need unique shipping and storage containers created for this purpose. Businesses need unique chemical warehousing storage spaces and shipping solutions for liquid and gaseous chemicals, such as flammable liquids (or solids) or gasses like oxygen or hydrogen. 

Many ordinary materials are considered hazardous when transported from one place to another. Even common house paint is seen as a hazardous liquid. Some items may not be hazardous in nature unless they come in contact with other chemical substances, in which case they may cause fire or release toxic gasses. 

Why Chemical Warehousing Compliance Cannot Be Ignored?

Chemical warehousing compliance holds an important place in the chemical logistics industry. It basically prevents accidents or dangerous spillages of chemicals inside the warehouse, leading to toxic conditions. A chemical spillage can lead to severe breathing issues, and some chemicals can also start a fire in their surrounding areas. Sometimes, chemicals that leak into water sources can manage to contaminate the entire water supply of that area. 

Chemicals in any form, whether they have to be stored short-term, long-term, or shipped, all the due warehousing regulations need to be followed. Compliance regulations may vary from one country to another and also according to the types of chemicals exported or imported in India. For example, in the United States, the transportation department offers specialized transportation and storage facilities for hazardous chemicals via intrastate, interstate, and foreign-based travel. 

Chemical warehousing compliance is crucial for many different reasons:

• For the safety of the warehouse, the staff inside, and the surroundings
• To prevent any leaks that could contaminate the water supply 
• To avoid legal or financial punishments or penalties 
• Access to global and domestic markets 
• Regulations may differ from country to country, so compliance is essential to gain access to all international markets 
• To maintain a good reputation as a responsible business professional in the market 
• Showcasing a dedicated commitment to rules can build trust within the warehousing facility and with the stakeholders 

Let us explore some suggestions on how to ensure compliance in chemical warehousing: 

• Understanding the regulations and staying aware of the local, domestic, and foreign chemical logistics regulations. 
• Appointing special persons to take care of regulatory work so that there is no lapse in compliance 
• Conducting audits on time and through established accounting professionals to maintain necessary standards 
• Training employees so that they become professional and efficient in their work and know all the safety protocols 
• Select a trusted logistics and chemical warehousing partner such as OSV FTWZ, a reliable 3PL industry leader and service provider. 
• Track all inventory and real-time visibility so that you can monitor the location and chemical quantities. 

The Indian logistics industry has to abide by strict regulations related to chemical warehousing, namely; CMSR or chemical management and safety rules. This applies to all kinds of chemical substances, intermediates, potions, or mixtures that are produced, imported, or handled in India. The regulations require chemical manufacturers, certified representatives, and importers to mention and notify the authorities about the chemical materials they are handling. 

You can register substances needed to be registered, and provide SDS or Safety Data Sheets for dangerous substances. You may label containers containing hazardous chemicals with special warning symbols, pictures, and detailed information. As per the Hazardous Chemical Amendment Rules 1989, it is for regulating the manufacturing, storage, and import of dangerous chemicals. For the transport of hazardous chemicals, there is a Motor Vehicles Act created in 1988. 

Some basic guidelines for the storage of chemicals include:

• Chemical warehousing and storing, especially of hazardous chemicals below the eye level. 
• Restriction of storage of chemicals on the floors or balconies 
• Keep the chemical containers sealed or closed unless you are removing some chemicals or adding more substances to the container. 
• Using best-rated storage cabinets and safety containers whenever you can procure them
• Storing all flammable chemical products in one single room, away from any ignition risk 
• Using rack-stack assembling and sprinkler-enabled firehouse pump systems for dangerous liquids or gasses

When dangerous chemicals are transported and shipped from warehousing facilities, inventory and warehouse management systems can quickly track their whereabouts. Such systems offer transparency in the procedures so that all packages and containers are heavily monitored and kept in a safe and suitable location. Companies will also create an exhaustive inventory list of all the kinds of chemicals that have been stored at the site with the correct first-aid directives, emergency plans, and disposal needs.