Storage of chemical substances

Chemical products must be stored in the correct type of packaging intended for the product in question, preferably in the original packaging if it is intended for storage. The packaging must remain sealed and clean on the outside to prevent leakage and injury through skin contact. Packaging must be labelled so that there is no misunderstanding about what it contains or the risks associated with the product.

Chemical products can be stored in ventilated chemical cabinets or chemical storage rooms. The type of storage required may be determined on a case-by-case basis. Flammable goods may, for example, require fire-rated spaces if large quantities are to be stored.

It is important to take into account any synergistic effects when storing chemical products and they must be stored safely to avoid accidents, health risks, theft and release into the environment. The head of the unit/department or equivalent is ultimately responsible for ensuring that chemical products are stored correctly. Storage must be adapted to the properties of the chemical product and guidance on storage requirements can be found on the product labelling, hazard pictograms (CLP) and in the product's safety data sheet (SDS). The information can be found in KLARA.

Requirements for the storage area

Areas where chemical products are stored must be ventilated and clearly signposted/labelled to indicate that they are intended for chemicals. The rooms must be locked so that unauthorised persons cannot enter. Cabinets used to store flammable goods, explosive goods, corrosive substances, oxidising substances, gases under pressure, toxic substances only, or toxic substances that are also flammable must be labelled with the respective hazard pictogram (CLP labelling). If hazard pictograms for ‘flammable’ or “toxic” are already in place, the hazard pictogram for ‘gas under pressure’ is not required in the case of small quantities. The basic rule is that different types of chemicals should be stored separately, but in cases where there is only one ventilated cabinet and only a few bottles are involved, they may be stored together if the following considerations are taken into account: The safety data sheet should be checked to ensure that there are no substances in the cabinet with which the contents of the bottle(s) could react violently. The single bottle should then be stored on a separate shelf and in its own enclosure, e.g. a plastic crate. The shelf plan must be clearly marked.

All chemical products purchased after 1 June 2017 must be classified, labelled and packaged in accordance with CLP. Chemical products classified and labelled according to the older system (orange hazard symbol) must be reclassified and relabelled in accordance with CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging), which is an EU regulation. Further information: https://www.kemi.se/lagar-och-regler/lagstiftningar-inom-kemikalieomradet/eu-gemensam-lagstiftning/clp-forordningen/markning-av-kemiska-produkter.

Substances and mixtures that meet the criteria for classification as hazardous must be labelled when placed on the market. Even mixtures that are not classified as hazardous but contain hazardous substances may need to be labelled with information in accordance with Annex II to the CLP Regulation. Examples of such labelling are the supplemental labelling phrases ‘Safety data sheet available on request’ (which has the code EUH210) and "Contains (name of the sensitising substance). May cause an allergic reaction” (which has the code EUH208).

The labelling on the packaging contains standardised phrases and symbols which together inform the user about the hazardous properties of the product and how it can be handled safely. The information to be included on the label depends on the hazardous substances contained in the product and how it is classified.

The information on the label and the information in the product safety data sheet, under section 2.2 ‘Labelling information’, must be consistent.

Acids and bases

Corrosive chemicals (acids and bases) should not be stored above eye level, preferably below waist height. Acids are stored in acid-resistant, ventilated cabinets and not together with bases or organic substances. The cabinets must be clearly labelled with the type of chemicals stored there.

Oxidising substances

Oxidising substances must not be stored with oxidisable substances (e.g. alcohols).

Flammable products

Flammable and volatile products must be stored in fireproof and ventilated cabinets Flammable liquids must not be stored together with highly flammable substances/materials or with gases. Flammable products that need to be stored in a cool place should be kept in spark-free refrigerators. The fire rating of storage cabinets and storage rooms must correspond to the types and quantities of chemicals stored there (for further information on fire cabinets, see the section on flammable and explosive goods). The quantity of flammable goods stored on benches etc. should be as small as possible and only cover daily requirements.

Flammable gas must be stored in a fireproof container, but not in the same cabinet as flammable liquids.

If space is limited, loose containers with small volumes of flammable liquids may be stored on separate shelves in cabinets where other hazardous chemicals are also stored. The shelf plan must be marked up.

More information about ‘Storage, signage and labelling of flammable goods’ can be found in the section below.

Peroxide-forming chemicals

Peroxide-forming chemicals (e.g. tetrahydrofuran, dioxane) must be stored in a dark, cool place (spark-free, EX-rated refrigerator) and checked regularly for possible peroxide formation. Stabilised ether can be stored at 15-25 degrees in an EX-rated cabinet. Chemicals with a clearly detectable peroxide content (≥3 mg/L) should not be used but destroyed. Peroxide tests can be performed using test strips (e.g. from Sigma-Aldrich; Quantofix 1-100 mg/l) or by adding 1 ml of the solution to 1 ml of concentrated acetic acid (HOAc) mixed with 0.1 g NaI or KI. The latter method produces a yellow colour at low peroxide levels; brown colour = high peroxide levels. Hydrogen peroxide bottles should be stored tightly closed in a dry, cool, dark, ventilated and fire-resistant area. The spaces must be clearly marked. Hydrogen peroxide must not be stored together with other chemicals or flammable materials. If the hydrogen peroxide is transferred to a new container, it must be made of a material that neither affects nor is affected by the hydrogen peroxide.

Prioritise purchasing small containers over larger ones and, if possible, purchase hydrogen peroxide with a lower concentration. Do not store more than a few litres of hydrogen peroxide in the lab. Label new bottles with the date of arrival and the date when the seal was broken. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down and loses concentration over time, so opened bottles should not be stored for longer than one year. KLARA includes a tool for identifying peroxides and peroxide formers in your activities.

Toxins and CMR substances

Chemical products that pose a significant hazard (toxins and CMR substances) must be stored in locked cabinets marked with a poison symbol. KLARA has a function for generating a list of CMR substances held within the organisation.

Particularly sought-after chemicals

Chemicals that might be sought for abuse, such as ethanol and volatile solvents, which may cause intoxication if inhaled, must always be stored in such a way as to prevent/counteract this type of use (Regulation 1977:994). Special rules apply to the purchase, accounting and inventory of ethanol (HSLF-FS 2022:63).

Requirements for packaging and containers

All hazardous chemicals must be classified and labelled in accordance with the rules in the EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation). This means, for example, that the substances/mixtures, regardless of when they were purchased, must be labelled with the white-red-black hazard pictograms and meet the other requirements stipulated in the CLP Regulation and specified in the Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions on chemical risks in the work environment (AFS 2014:43).

Packaging and containers must be intact and clean and always sealed when not in use. When reusing packaging and containers, all outdated labelling must be removed. There must be no doubt about what the vessel contains.

Containers with pure chemical substances must be labelled with the contents, quantity, supplier and hazard pictogram. Containers with chemical mixtures should be labelled in line with CLP with the product name and the relevant hazard pictograms and, where applicable, the text ‘may cause cancer’, ‘may cause allergies’, ‘may damage genetic material’ or ‘may impair reproduction’. The labelling must be clear. The information must be in Swedish, as well as other languages if required.

Containers that you fill yourself must be intended for storing chemicals, and the contents must be labelled with the product name and hazard pictogram. If the substance is carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction, the container must be labelled with this information.

The amount of flammable goods stored should always be minimised. This applies especially to flammable goods stored at the front of the laboratory. No exact limits on the amount of material that can be stored at the front can be generally determined by the authorities, but should be limited to only the amount needed for the day's work. Flammable substances must be stored under correct classification when not in use. Otherwise, the following applies:

• Flammable goods may never be stored or temporarily placed in an escape route.
• Flammable liquids and fire-reactive goods should be stored separately. To avoid making a fire worse, flammable gases, flammable liquids and fire-reactive goods should be stored in separate cabinets.
• The shelf plan must be marked with the correct CLP symbol.
• Flammable goods must not be stored together with goods that could pose an increased risk in the event of a fire, such as toxic or corrosive chemicals.
• Flammable goods must not be stored with easily-ignited materials that could aggravate a fire.
• The quantity of flammable goods stored on benches etc. should be as small as possible and only cover daily requirements. There must be a risk assessment of handling.

According to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, the following joint storage is prohibited by law or regulation:

• Explosives must be stored in a separate storage area.
• Flammable liquids must not normally be stored together with flammable gas or flammable aerosol containers (with the exception of individual aerosol spray cans).
• Storage of flammable gas together with gas cylinders containing halogen compounds, toxic, corrosive or self-igniting gases is not permitted.
• Easily-ignited materials, such as fabric, paper, cardboard and materials with similar properties, must not be stored in the same space as flammable or explosive goods.
• The amount of chemicals stored together should, as far as possible, be limited so as to reduce risks.
• The storage area must meet requirements for all the stored substances regarding ventilation, fire separation and containment.
• Liquids should be stored in the lower part and dry products should be stored in the upper part of the storage space.
• Procedures and appropriate materials for spills must be available and known to all concerned.
• Flammable goods must not be stored together with goods with other hazards, such as products with toxic, corrosive or oxidising contents.

Purchase of non-denatured ethanol

When ethanol/technical spirits are purchased, the supplier may ask for an excise tax number and that an application for "Tax-exempt consumer - Alcohol" be completed. However, the latter does not apply to universities, as universities, among other things, have a statutory right (Alcohol Act (2010:1622), Chapter 6, Section 5) to receive alcohol tax-free from warehouse owners for scientific and medical purposes.

The Public Health Agency also does not have any permit requirements for the purchase of ethanol for activities with scientific purposes. However, those who purchase technical alcohol that is not completely denatured are required to keep records of purchases, usage and stocks of alcohol. Reasons for differences between purchased quantity and consumed quantity must be identified, documented and measures taken. The documentation must be kept for at least two years.

Also remember not to exceed the quantity in the permit for handling and storing flammable goods.

There may be local purchasing procedures. Therefore, remember to contact the chemicals manager/purchasing manager at your department.

Storage of flammable fluids

Under special conditions and in certain activities, loose containers with small volumes of flammable liquid can be stored on their own shelves in cabinets where other hazardous chemicals are stored together. The shelf plan must then be marked up.

Up to 50 l of flammable liquid within a fire compartment may be stored in ventilated sheet metal chemical cabinets. Volumes over 50 l within a fire compartment must be stored in special storage cabinets for flammable goods with fire class EI30, i.e. a cabinet that can withstand fire for 30 minutes, or in storage facilities that meet the corresponding requirements. When storing more than 500 l of flammable liquid within a fire compartment, storage cabinets with fire class EI60, i.e. a cabinet that can withstand fire for 60 minutes, must be used. Definition of fire compartment: part of a building, for example a room or floor, which is structurally separated in such a way that the spread of fire and smoke to other parts of the building is prevented for a certain period of time, determined taking into account the purpose of the building and the number of floors. If flammable products are to be stored in a refrigerator, the refrigerator must be spark-free to prevent a fire from occurring.

It is important to know the formulation of the "permit for flammable goods" that applies in the specified premises where you plan to store it so that the volumes are not exceeded.

Storage of flammable gas

Flammable gas must be stored in a fireproof container, but not in the same cabinet as flammable liquids.

In the event of a fire, all types of gas pose a risk due to the heat, which can cause a gas container to explode. To avoid storing gases in laboratories, central gas distribution systems should be sought. Flammable gas is best placed in special gas storage facilities. Flammable gas that must be stored indoors must be stored in ventilated gas cabinets with a minimum fire class of EI30. These cabinets must be classified according to EN 14470-2. All gas containers with flammable gas must be anchored with a non-combustible chain or similar that is easy to unhook.

Signs

Cabinets and storage areas where flammable goods are stored must have signs. The signs inform those who handle flammable goods in the workplace of where they are located. The signs are also important so that the fire service, in the event of any response, can quickly obtain information about where the flammable goods are stored. The signs should help you find the flammable goods from the nearest corridor. This means that sometimes signs are not only needed on the door of the storage room or cabinet, but also on the door that leads from the corridor to the storage room or cabinet where the flammable goods are stored. All signs must be of good durability considering the surrounding environment and be placed in a highly visible location.

Labelling

Flammable goods must be labelled with symbols and warning texts, so that the user is informed of the dangers. The labelling is determined by the product's classification; see the safety data sheet. The responsibility for classifying and labelling flammable goods lies with the person who places the product on the Swedish market, i.e. manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. If a substance is transferred to a new storage container, the labelling of the new container must comply with the labelling requirements according to the safety data sheet.