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Streamlining Chemical Inventory Reporting for Fire Safety

Managing chemical inventory can be a daunting task for laboratories of all sizes.

From tracking quantities toward building fire codes and MAQ limits to staying on top of regulatory reporting requirements, the complexities can quickly overwhelm even the most organized teams.

But with the advent of chemical inventory reporting solutions like SciSure for Health & Safety (formerly SciShield), labs are experiencing a revolution in efficiency, organization, and safety.

Now we will explore the benefits of accurate, real-time reporting tied to your chemical inventory and dive into how these systems are transforming chemical inventory reporting, one click at a time:

Stay organized and eliminate storage chaos by digitizing your chemical inventory with container level tracking in real-time.

Efficiency

Chemical inventory reporting solutions make your team more efficient by reducing the time spent on common tasks by up to 80% — meaning that a task that normally takes you an afternoon to complete will take just a few minutes.

Instead of manually calculating totals toward MAQ limits, for instance, chemical inventory reporting software can do this for you. Not only does this save you time, it also reduces the chance of human errors.

What’s more, chemical inventory reporting software will make managing your chemical inventory easier. You can track containers, view storage recommendations and expiration dates, and complete audits on the go from any mobile device. This frees up scientists' time to focus their core work like applying for grants and conducting research while keeping your labs safe and compliant.

Organization

Chemical inventory reporting software provides a centralized platform for managing your chemical inventory data. Users can easily input, store, and update information about the chemicals they have on-site, including details like quantities, locations, and expiration dates.

The best chemical inventory solutions don’t stop there, though. They also offer real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing you to track changes in your chemical inventory as they occur. This helps you stay up-to-date with your reporting obligations and proactively manage chemical hazards.

Hazard Identification

With potentially hundreds of chemicals on hand, identifying the hazard profile of each one is a time-consuming task. But with a chemical inventory reporting software, it doesn't have to be.

Your software should allow you to instantly see the hazards associated with any chemical in your inventory. You don’t have to go searching for an SDS online or in a binder because that information is readily available at your fingertips.

Additionally, chemical inventory reporting software should give you a “big picture” view of chemicals and high-hazard materials in your labs. Which chemicals count toward your flammable solvents limit? How many peroxide formers are set to expire by the end of this month? With chemical inventory reporting software, these questions are easy to answer.

Accurate Reporting

With effective chemical inventory software, there’s no need for Excel spreadsheets full of complicated formulas and calculations. By pulling relevant data from the centralized database, chemical inventory reporting software automates the process of generating regulatory reports, such as Tier II/Right-to-Know (RTK) reports, streamlining reporting processes, meaning you won’t be scrambling to get it done before the deadline.

As we mentioned above, one of the key features of chemical inventory software is its ability to track containers in real-time. This means that as changes are made to the chemical inventory, such as additions, deletions, or updates, the software automatically reflects these changes in your regulatory reports. This real-time synchronization ensures that reports are always up-to-date and accurate.

Compliance

Chemical reporting software empowers labs to efficiently manage their chemical inventory, enhancing accuracy and streamlining reporting – achieving compliance with fire codes and MAQs is simplified.

As fire code regulations evolve chemical inventory software will help you to maintain compliance. By storing all your chemical data in a single place, you'll have instant access to the information you need to adapt to changes. You'll never have to worry about the unknown of fire code compliance and MAQs because you can easily compare your current inventory with the new regulations.

Scalability

With more time to focus on research and funding opportunities thanks to your chemical inventory software, you might find your lab operations growing. The good news is that a robust software system like SciSure will scale with you as you grow.

As your operations expand, SciSure can accommodate increasing amounts of chemical inventory data and support additional users without sacrificing accuracy or efficiency. You can even manage permissions for different users or groups based on their job description (e.g., lab member, PI, etc.). This ensures that individuals throughout your organization are only able to view or change information that is relevant to their role.

Safety

At the end of the day, chemical inventory software makes your labs safer by helping you manage hazardous materials more effectively. It enables precise tracking of chemicals throughout their lifecycle, from purchase to disposal, so you can proactively address fire hazards such as expired chemicals or incompatible storage.

And, in the event of a fire, chemical inventory software is — quite literally — a lifesaver. Having access to an accurate chemical inventory, complete with the quantities and locations of chemicals, enables emergency responders to quickly assess the situation, identify potential hazards, and take appropriate measures to protect personnel and property.

Take control of your chemical inventory

Chemical inventory software solves the headache of fire code compliance and regulatory reporting by giving you control over your chemical inventory once and for all, organized and in compliance — with regulatory reporting in real-time, in just a few clicks. Next, learn about the key features to look for in chemical inventory software.

The power of accurate, real-time chemical reporting is the key to mitigating risks and enhancing fire safety.

Your takeaway

With the right software solution, you can save hours and days of complex report pulling for your regulatory reporting, MAQ's, TierII/RTK, and Fire Code compliance.

‍BOSTON, MA (April 2, 2025) – GA International, a global leader in laboratory identification solutions, under its LabTAG brand, announced today that its DYMO® LabelWriter™ 5-Series Printing Kits are now compatible with SciSure (formerly eLabNext)—an intuitive and flexible system for collecting, managing, and analyzing laboratory information. The integration is available in the eLabMarketplace through an Add-on, and provides researchers with a reliable, precise, and user-friendly solution for labeling in critical laboratory workflows.

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with SciSure by introducing this Dymo® LabelWriter™ 550 Add-On,” comments George Ambartsoumian, Founder and CEO of GA International. “This tool allows researchers to print labels directly from the eLabNext interface, making sample identification faster, easier, and more reliable. It’s another step forward in our shared mission to streamline lab workflows and improve sample and data management in laboratories.” 

The Add-on allows users access to pre-designed label templates tailored for LabTAG’s specialized DYMO-Branded CryoSTUCK® Labels directly within SciSure. These templates are optimized for the Dymo® LabelWriter™ 5-series printers, ensuring perfect formatting, dimensions, and layout alignment. This eliminates the need for manual adjustments and enables effortless label printing in just a few clicks. By combining the affordability of the Dymo® LabelWriter™5-Series (550, 550 Turbo, and 5XL) with LabTAG's durable cryogenic labels, the Add-on also offers a cost-effective labeling solution, particularly beneficial for labs working on a tight budget.

“We jump on every opportunity to enhance our platform by integrating tools that simplify workflows, collaborating with companies that share our passion for sample and data management, and streamlining lab operations for our users,” says Zareh Zurabyan, VP of Commercial, Americas. “This recent collaboration with LabTAG is a win for everyone and ensures that labs can focus on their research with confidence, knowing their labeling needs are met with innovative and reliable technology.” 

To learn more about SciSure and how to connect with LabTAG’s Dymo® LabelWriter™ 550 Printer Add-on, visit the Marketplace.

About LabTAG

GA International has over 25 years of experience as a leading manufacturer of specialty labels, supplying laboratory identification solutions to biomedical research labs, biobanks, hospitals, and other healthcare institutions. Since its inception, GA International has become a worldwide leader in cryogenic and chemical-resistant labels, strongly dedicated to R&D and customer service. 

For more information about GA International, please visit www.labtag.com

Press contacts

For Media & Communication Inquiries‍

Ishan Wadi, Marketing Leader
ishan.wadi@ga-international.com

For Technical Inquiries Related to the Add-On

Alexandre Beaudoin Gagne, IT Director
alexandre.beaudoin@ga-international.com

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On May 6, 2025, a significant shift will take place in the regulatory environment with the implementation of the new United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP). Dual use research refers to studies that, although intended for beneficial purposes, may also pose risks if misused or if the knowledge gained could be exploited for harmful purposes. Enhanced pandemic potential refers to research involving pathogens that could potentially lead to widespread outbreaks.

This enhanced DURC/PEPP Policy expands the scope of research previously overseen by the 2012 Federal DURC, the 2014 Institutional DURC, and the 2017 P3CO Framework policies and organizes research into Category 1: involving dual use research of concern (DURC), and Category 2: involving pathogens with enhanced pandemic potential (PEPP).

This policy comes in the wake of heightened global concerns about biosecurity and the potential misuse of research, particularly in light of recent events that have underscored the need for stringent safety and oversight measures. It aims to ensure that sensitive research does not pose risks to public health and national security while fostering responsible scientific innovation.

All research institutions that receive funding from federal agencies are obligated to fully follow this Policy as a condition of their funding. According to section 5.6 of the Policy, “failure to follow the research oversight framework under this Policy may result in suspension, limitation, or termination of federal funding and loss of future federal funding opportunities for the research proposal and for other life sciences research at the research institution, as imposed by the federal funding agency.”

Breaking Down the New Policy Requirements

Under the new policy, research entities involved in DURC or PEPP must adhere to several key requirements:

1. Risk Assessment: Institutions must conduct thorough risk assessments for proposed research to identify any potential dual-use implications. This will involve evaluating how results can be used or misused and detailing necessary mitigation strategies.
2. Review Processes: The research institution, through an IRE (sometimes as a component of an IBC), reviews the PI’s initial assessment and confirms whether proposed or ongoing research is within the scope of Category 1 or Category 2 research
3. Training and Compliance: Institutions must ensure that all personnel involved in relevant research are adequately trained on the ethical, legal, and safety concerns associated with DURC and PEPP. A risk mitigation plan must be drafted if research falls under Category 1 or Category 2.
4. Transparency and Reporting: Research entities will be required to maintain transparent records and report any incidents or concerns related to misuse or safety violations promptly to relevant oversight bodies.

Concerns for Research Entities

This new oversight policy is understandably causing concerns among research entities due to fear of increased administrative burdens for researchers and reviewers, as well as potential for delays as institutions implement the new policy. The NIH has released a Notice for their implementation of the Policy for all NIH-funded research, including grants and cooperative agreements; with other funding agency implementation plans yet to be published.

How SciSure Can Help

The responsibility of assessing whether or not research falls under the scope of Category 1 and Category 2 research, as defined in the new USG Policy, falls on Principal Investigators and Researchers named in the application for which federal funding is received or proposed, at the proposal stage and continuously throughout the research lifecycle.

While the onus is on the PI to make these assessments, the DURC/PEPP Policy posits that the research institution is responsible for “ensuring that PIs are aware of and executing this responsibility appropriately.” One key approach to achieving this is by arming researchers with the tools to make compliance faster and easier.

With SciSure’s new DURC/PEPP Assessment in the Biosafety Management Module, researchers may easily self-assess whether research falls under Category 1 and/or Category 2 research. This speeds up the assessment cycle for Institutional Review Entity (IRE) and Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research (ICDUR).

Learn More

Interested in learning more about SciSure’s Biosafety Management Module or getting a DURC/PEPP Assessment? Schedule a personal consultation with one of our experts!