Your End-of-Year Chemical Inventory Guide

The end of the year is hectic enough: meetings, deadlines, and planning for what’s next. But before you close the books on 2025, don’t forget one important task that sets the tone for a cleaner, safer, and more efficient start to 2026: completing your chemical inventory.

Whether you're managing a school lab, research facility, or production floor, reviewing your stock now can help you stay compliant, avoid surprises, and get ahead on restocking. At Lab Alley, we make it easy to access the documentation and products you need to wrap up the year with confidence.

Use this guide as your go-to checklist for year-end inventory review.

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As 2025 ends, a thorough chemical inventory check ensures safety, compliance, and a smooth start to 2026.

1. Review Your Chemical Inventory List

Start with a full walkthrough of your chemical storage areas. Cross-check what’s on the shelves with what’s in your digital or written inventory. Along the way you may find:

  • Items that were used but never removed from your list
  • Duplicate records under different product names
  • Unlabeled or misplaced containers that need attention

This is also a great time to consolidate your inventory system if you’ve been using spreadsheets, handwritten notes, or multiple tracking apps. Streamlining now will save time during audits and reorders in the new year.

2. Verify Safety Data and Documentation

Accurate documentation isn’t just good practice, it’s often required. Double-check that all of your:

  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are current and easy to access
  • Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are saved for key chemicals with strict purity requirements
  • Labels are intact and readable on every container

If you find unlabeled or “mystery” substances, flag them for safe disposal. And if you’re missing SDSs or COAs, many are available directly through suppliers on product pages or upon request.

3. Check Expiration and Shelf Life

Chemical potency and safety can degrade over time. Go shelf by shelf and inspect each container for expiration or “use by” dates. If you find:

  • Expired materials
  • Discoloration
  • Crystallization or unexpected phase changes
  • Separation in solutions

...then it’s time to remove them from circulation. Be sure to log these items in your records and create a restocking list for anything you’ll need to replace.

Not sure about shelf life? Many SDS documents list safe storage timelines and conditions.

4. Dispose of Unwanted or Expired Chemicals Properly

Never pour chemicals down the drain or toss them in the trash. Improper disposal is dangerous and may violate local laws. Instead:

  • Refer to your institution’s chemical hygiene plan or environmental health and safety department
  • Contact local hazardous waste programs or university disposal services
  • Store flagged chemicals safely until disposal day

5. Restock Smart For a Strong Start in 2026

After clearing out old stock, make note of what needs to be replaced and what you’ll need more of in the coming months. Reordering now can help you:

  • Avoid backorders and long lead times in Q1
  • Take advantage of year-end purchasing budgets
  • Upgrade to eco-friendly or higher-purity options
  • Replace consumables like gloves, pipettes, labels, and PPE

Final Thoughts

Finishing the year with a clean, compliant, and well-stocked lab sets the stage for a smoother, safer 2026. From checking expiration dates to updating SDS files, a bit of year-end maintenance goes a long way.

At Lab Alley, we’re here to support your process with trusted chemicals, helpful documentation, and fast fulfillment. Browse our full product catalog, or contact our team if you need help sourcing replacements, accessing documents, or planning your reorder strategy.

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