University of Washington employees who use chemicals or chemical containing products at any UW owned or leased facility must maintain chemical inventories in MyChem, the University of Washington\'s campus-wide chemical tracking system.

MyChem is designed for emergency planning efforts and helps faculty and staff comply with federal, state, and local hazardous material regulations such as Fire Department Hazardous Material Storage and Use Permits (occupancy permits), Hazard Communication, EPA Community Right-To-Know reporting, and the Department of Homeland Security Facility Anti-Terrorism Standard.

MyChem also contains a central Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) library. MSDSs provide an overview of the hazards of chemical. All employees should be able to readily access an MSDS for any chemical they are using.

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) generated in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals provides similar information to an MSDS and is an acceptable alternative to an MSDS.