Hazardous materials management in chemistry: safe & compliant with ERP

Handling hazardous materials is standard practice in the chemical industry – and a major responsibility. Anyone transporting, storing, or shipping substances operates within a tightly interlinked framework of classification, labeling, packaging, transport rules, and documentation requirements. For SMEs, this is only manageable with robust processes and reliable data. This is where an industry-specific ERP solution shows its full potential: it embeds regulatory requirements directly into workflows, minimizes sources of error, and makes compliance verifiable – from warehouse receiving to final delivery.

In the German and European context, hazardous materials (also called dangerous goods) refer to substances that pose risks during transport (e.g., according to ADR on the road). Hazardous substances, on the other hand, refer to activities in the workplace (e.g., GefStoffV and TRGS in Germany). Both worlds overlap: a substance can be a hazardous substance during handling and a hazardous material during transport – each requiring different labels, documents, and obligations. Digitalizing these processes means keeping both clearly separated yet properly aligned – otherwise, gaps in safety and compliance may arise.

• REACH (EG 1907/2006) – Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals 
  REACH governs, among other things, the registration process and the handling of safety data sheets (SDS). Since January 1, 2021, the updated SDS Annex has been in force, with the transition period ending on December 31, 2022. Since then, all safety data sheets must comply with the format defined in Regulation (EU) 2020/878.
   
• CLP (EG 1272/2008) – Classification, Labelling & Packaging 
  CLP implements the GHS within the EU and defines the rules for classification, labeling, and packaging – forming the basis for product labels and many REACH obligations. In 2023, new hazard classes were introduced (including for endocrine disruptors).
   
• ADR – Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises Dangereuses par Route/European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
  ADR defines the legal framework for the transport of dangerous goods by road. The latest version, ADR 2025, has been in effect since January 1, 2025.
  
  
• Additional regulations
  ADR defines the legal framework for the transport of dangerous goods by road. The latest version, ADR 2025, has been in effect since January 1, 2025.

Important: CLP/GHS labeling is not the same as transport labeling. A product may carry GHS pictograms on its packaging, while transport regulations require additional hazard labels (e.g., label 3 “Flammable liquid”) and transport-related information such as UN number, packaging group, or tunnel code. An ERP system must handle both levels and align them correctly.  

Hazardous materials management works best when it runs safely and reliably. Typically, this requires the following foundations:

• Classification & master data – the basis of every decision
  Without accurate hazard and transport master data, compliance becomes a matter of chance. In practice, you need data such as UN number and proper shipping name, class, packaging group, special provisions, hazard labels, tunnel restriction codes, limited quantities (LQ), and applicable exemptions. Modern ERP systems store this information centrally, manage versioning (e.g., biannual ADR updates), and distribute it automatically across purchasing, warehousing, production, and shipping.
  
  
• Documents & labeling – error-free at the push of a button
  Transport documents under ADR (Chapter 5.4) must include, among other details, the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packaging group, and other data in the prescribed order. Additionally, the “Instructions in Writing” required by 5.4.3 must be carried in the vehicle cabin. An ERP system generates transport papers, labels, and accompanying documents automatically – consistent with the classification and in the correct language. Electronic transport documents are also permitted if they meet ADR equivalence requirements.
  
  
• Safety data sheets & UFI – meeting market obligations properly
  SDS under REACH are mandatory and, since 2023, must follow the 2020/878 format. In parallel, EU harmonization of poison centre notifications (PCN) including UFI codes applies: the UFI must appear on the label, linking the product and its formulation with the PCN submission. The harmonized PCN obligation becomes fully mandatory by January 1, 2025. An ERP system with a CLP/REACH module manages UFI administration, label printing, and consistent data use for SDS and PCN.
  
  
• Training & responsibilities – compliance through structure
  ADR requires that everyone involved in the dangerous goods process receive role-specific training (general, function-specific, and safety training under Chapter 1.3). An ERP system supports this by mapping roles, planning training sessions, archiving records, and managing reminders – providing the ideal foundation for quality audits and regulatory inspections.

For regulated chemical SMEs, an ERP system determines far more than efficiency – it defines legal, operational, and product safety. A solution tailored to the chemical industry:

• Keeps ADR, CLP, and REACH master data centralized and up to date,
• Generates transport and accompanying documents in full compliance,
• Manages labeling (GHS/CLP and transport) consistently,
• Supports SDS creation and UFI/PCN processes,
• Monitors deadlines, training, and audit trails.

Yaveon 365, the ERP for the process industry, is designed precisely for this purpose. With industry-specific modules for hazardous materials and hazardous substance management, and based on Microsoft Business Central, it integrates seamlessly into the Microsoft ecosystem. The result: consistent, auditable processes – from development and procurement to shipping. Not as a marketing promise, but as a robust process standard for daily operations in regulated environments.

Hazardous materials management is not an add-on – it’s a core responsibility for chemical companies. Those who meet REACH and CLP obligations, generate ADR-compliant documents, and maintain consistent data minimize risks to people, the environment, and their business. An industry-specific ERP system makes this scalable: it embeds regulatory logic directly into workflows, eliminates system gaps, and creates transparency. Exactly what chemical SMEs need to operate safely today – and remain ready for the future.