Product Information & Safety

What if I have more technical questions about my product?

Please email our dedicated customer care team if you have any questions regarding your product. In your email, include as many details as you deem necessary so that we can provide you with the most accurate information.

Your inquiry will be reviewed by our on-staff chemist and we will reply with the appropriate response.

What does each chemical grade mean?

Different industries and applications have different requirements for chemical purity. As a result, chemicals can be classified under multiple grades.

Chemical Grade from Highest to Lowest Purity.

1. ACS: A chemical grade of highest purity and meets or exceeds purity standards set by American Chemical Society (ACS).

2. Reagent: High purity is generally equalled to ACS grade and suitable for use in many laboratory and analytical applications.

3. USP: A chemical grade of sufficient purity to meet or exceed requirements of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP); acceptable for food, drug, or medicinal use; may be used for most laboratory Purposes.  Commonly referred to as food grade.  Must adhere to specific regulations and standards to ensure they do not pose a risk to human health when consumed.

4. NF: A grade of sufficient purity to meet or exceed requirements of the National Formulary (NF).

5. Lab: A chemical grade of relatively high quality with exact levels of impurities unknown; usually pure enough for educational applications. Not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.

6. Purified: Also called pure or practical grade, and indicates good quality chemicals meeting no official standard; can be used in most cases for educational applications. Not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.

7. Technical: Good quality chemical grade used for commercial and industrial purposes. Typically used when the level of purity required might be lower, as long as the impurities do not interfere with the intended industrial application.  Not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.

Other commonly used grades

  • Semiconductor/Electronic Grade: Electronic grade chemicals are used in the electronics industry. They need to have extremely low levels of impurities to prevent interference with electronic properties in semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing.
  • Industrial Grade: Industrial grade chemicals are used in various industrial processes where high purity might not be essential. They are often selected for cost-effectiveness and suitability for specific industrial tasks.

Where can I find product certifications?

For your convenience, the majority of the certifications are located on the corresponding product page. If you have viewed the webpage and cannot locate the certification you are searching for, please feel free to reach out to us and a dedicated team member will process your request. 

Information to include in your request

  1. Product name 
  2. Product SKU
  3. Certifications required (Organic, Kosher, Cruelty-Free, etc.)

Where can I find a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?

For your convenience, the majority of the certificates (COAs) are located on the corresponding product page and can be conveniently downloaded. If you have viewed the webpage and cannot locate the certification you are searching for, please feel free to reach out to us and a dedicated team member will process your request. 

Information to include in your request 

  1. Product name
  2. Product SKU
  3. Order number
  4. Lot number
  5. Where to send the COA

Where can I find a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

For your convenience, the majority of the product safety sheets (SDS) are located on the corresponding product page. If you have viewed the webpage and cannot locate the certification you are searching for, please feel free to reach out to us and a dedicated team member will process your request. 

Information to include in your request

  1. Product name(s)
  2. Product SKU(s)
  3. Where to send the SDS

How do I know if a product has restrictions for purchasing?

Due to the nature of the products we provide, there are some regulations that we are required to follow. If you add a product that has restrictions associated with it to your cart, you will see a pop up notification stating the restriction. These will typically be related to shipping regulations and necessary permits.

How do I know if I am buying the right product for my intended use?

While we are grateful for your interest in using our products, we can not safely or legally advise you on the specific uses of each material. Each product page does include the product grade and its most common uses and applications. Please feel free to use our site as a supplemental resource for your research.

Does Lab Alley create custom formulas?

Providing this kind of specialized service is a future goal of ours.  However, we are focusing on supplying individual raw materials and we are not creating custom solutions at this time.

How do I dispose of my product?

Each product and city/county/state will have different processes and regulations in regards to disposal. We advise you to contact your local waste management expert or facility and consult with them. 

311 is also a great resource to answer these questions.

Do I need a TTB Permit to purchase Specially Denatured Alcohol/Ethanol (SDA)?

In some cases we are able to supply SDA/Ethanol without a TTB permit as long as your order meets the legal criteria. “Any individual address can not receive more than 5 gallons of SDA/Ethanol within a calendar year without a TTB permit.” 

You can look into applying for a permit on the TTB website. Please email your permit to info@chemical-global.com and include your order number if applicable.

Why is my container bloated?

Although we have climate controlled warehouses and take extra precautions when it comes to packing our products for your order, our customers do occasionally still receive a container that shows signs of chemical bloating.

Here are some possible causes of chemical bloating

  1. Excessive heat during the summer
  2. Transportation
  3. Specific products are more prone to this

What to do if you receive a bloated container

  1. Put on the appropriate personal protective equipment
  2. Slowly release the pressure build up by twisting off the cap
  3. Reach out to our team if you need any guidance on safely handling the material

Rest assured that if your product arrives with a bloated container there is NO change in the quality of the material.