An accurate and up-to-date chemical inventory is essential for chemical safety, regulatory compliance, emergency response, and effective laboratory and shop management at the University of Houston. By maintaining a current inventory, laboratories and shops can manage chemicals more safely and efficiently, reduce unnecessary purchases and storage needs, identify expired or time-sensitive materials, and provide critical information during spills, fires, or other emergencies.

Principal Investigators (PIs) and Shop Managers are responsible for ensuring that chemical inventories are maintained, reviewed and updated for laboratories, shops, and other work areas under their oversight.

At the University of Houston, EHS Assistant (EHSA) serves as UH’s centralized chemical inventory management system and official chemical inventory record. Chemical inventory information submitted to EHS is maintained in EHSA to support compliance, emergency response, chemical safety reviews, and institutional reporting needs.

The basic requirements for maintaining and managing chemical inventories are discussed in the sections below.

• Chemical Inventory Requirements at UH 
• Managing Chemical Inventory in EHSA 
• What to Include and What Not to Include in Your Chemical Inventory 

Chemical Inventory Requirements at UH

All laboratories and shops are required to keep an updated copy of their chemical inventory on file, which must be made available to EHS upon request. Chemical inventory must be maintained and verified annually. For each hazardous substance on their inventory, the information below must be indicated on the chemical inventory:

• CAS number 
• Chemical name 
• Physical state 
• Quantity
• Container size or amount 
• Chemical room location and storage location 
• Receipt Date is also required for peroxide forming chemicals such as sodium amide, diethyl ether, and isopropyl ether

Laboratories, shops, and other work areas must also ensure that Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are readily accessible to laboratory personnel or shop staff.

Managing Chemical Inventory in EHSA

EHS Assistant (EHSA)  serves as UH’s centralized chemical inventory management system and official chemical inventory record.

• All new laboratories and shops registered with EHS on or after September 1, 2026, are required to maintain their chemical inventory directly in EHSA. 
• Existing laboratories and shops will be transitioned to direct EHSA inventory management based on inventory size, complexity, and operational needs. Please refer to the EHSA Chemical Inventory Transition Procedures , EHSA Chemical Inventory User Manual, and available training resources for detailed instructions on viewing, updating, and maintaining chemical inventories in EHSA. Once transitioned, laboratories and shops should maintain their chemical inventories directly in EHSA.

EHS may allow certain laboratories or shops with large or complex inventories to continue using an existing internal inventory management process during the transition period. However, these laboratories and shops must submit their chemical inventory using the EHS Chemical Inventory Excel Template in .xlsx format upon request. Paper copies and PDF files will not be accepted. EHS will use the submitted information to update the official chemical inventory record in EHSA.

Regardless of inventory size or current workflow, laboratories and shops with UH controlled chemicals, regulated chemicals, or high-hazard materials must ensure those chemicals are accurately reflected in EHSA.

What to Include and What Not to Include in Your Chemical Inventory

What to include in your inventory:

• All chemicals and chemical products (except those listed below)
• All compressed and liquefied gases
• Lubricants, fuels, and oils (motor oil, gasoline, diesel, vacuum pump oil)
• Aerosol lubricants
• Paints including spray-paints
• Pesticides and biocides

What not to include in your inventory:

• Retail products used and stored in amounts and frequencies typical to ordinary household usage
• Etiologic agents (bacteria, viruses, select agents, and toxins)
• Biological culture media, agar, serum proteins, albumin
• Enzyme preparations
• Non-hazardous buffers
• Radioactive materials (unless mixed with hazardous chemicals)
• Pre-packed test kits for medical labs
• Commercially packaged drugs in solid, final form (tablets, pills) for direct administration
• Commercial food, drugs and cosmetics, covered by the FDA
• Materials to be used within 1-2 days (“working solutions”)
• Hazardous waste