Who is this article for?

Users who need to organise the inventory table.

No special access or permissions are required.

The SafetyStratus Chemical Management System (CMS) supports three main ways to add chemical containers, each fitting a different workflow—from quickly duplicating an existing record to creating an entirely new catalog entry.

1. Controlling which methods are available

As a System Administrator, you can control which methods are available to users by adjusting permissions. To do this navigate to 

1. Edit Settings
2. Chemical Inventory
3. Chemical Inventory Permissions (Site Roles / Roster Assignments).

2. Copying an existing container

This method is best for quickly adding a new container that is nearly identical to an existing one. This is useful when reordering solvents in a research lab or logging an additional batch of the same chemical in manufacturing.

To copy an existing container, follow these steps:

1. Find the container in the Chemical Inventory using the search bar.
2. Click the Copy Inventory icon in the Actions column.

3. Review and edit pre-filled details as needed:
   • Owner: Admins can assign to any PI. Other users can only choose PIs from the original owner's roster
   • Department & Location: Must align with owner's assignments and roster

4. Edit other fields, with Partial or Full Editing permissions: volume/mass, concentration, notes, hazard codes, regulatory data, and lifecycle dates. 
5. Fields displayed here configure from Chemical Inventory Settings.

6. Configure special options if needed:
   • Static Containers: For California HMBP reporting (total volume ÷ container count). Requires Admin Team setup
   • Surplus Containers: Makes visible to other owners (per site settings)
   • Private Containers: Admin-only setting to hide globally (at the top of the page)

7. Submit and optionally upload supporting documents (e.g., SDS, hazard assessments).

3. Adding from catalog

Use this method when the chemical already exists in either your Local Catalog or the Global Catalog. This is ideal for adding standard, verified products and ensuring data consistency across the site.

To add a chemical from catalog, follow these steps:

1. Click the Add (+) icon next to the search bar.
2. Select Search and Add from Catalog.

3. Choose your catalog source:
   • Local Catalog: Site-specific entries (custom mixtures, in-house reagents)
   • Global Catalog: Master database of verified manufacturer records
4. Use the advanced Filters to search by name, CAS number, manufacturer, product number, or molecular formula.

5. Review hazard and NFPA data via Safety Data button, before selecting.

6. Load profile and enter container-specific details: owner, department, location, quantities, hazard codes, lifecycle dates, and regulatory data, these fields depend on permissions.

7. Configure special options if needed
8. Optional: Select Add Another Chemical for multi-entry sessions.

9. Submit to finalize.

4. Creating a new catalog entry

Use this method when the chemical is not found in either the Local or Global Catalog. This is common for proprietary formulations in industrial research and development or novel compounds developed in academic research.

Note: To restrict general users from creating new entries, toggle Edit Settings → Chemical Inventory → Do Not Allow General User to Create New Catalog Items.

To create a new catalog entry, follow these steps:

1. Click the Add (+) icon.
2. Select Search and Add from Catalog.
3. Use the click here link under the search bar.

4. Enter owner details, department and location information.
5. Enter catalog and container details, for example, product name, manufacturer, volume/mass, etc.
6. Use the Compound drop down to associate a profile or create a new one:
   • Search for an existing profile to link hazard data
   • Or, create a new compound profile with compound name, CAS number, and classification, single or mixture

7. Complete additional details, hazard codes, regulatory data, lifecycle dates
8. Configure special options if needed
9. Submit to add both the new catalog entry and the container to inventory.