What is a Chemical Storage Cabinet?
A chemical storage cabinet is a specially designed storage solution for chemical products, used to reduce the risks associated with handling hazardous substances in various types of workplaces. Such a cabinet is constructed to prevent fire, explosion, spills, or unwanted chemical reactions, making it a central component of systematic occupational safety efforts. In practice, this means that the cabinet must be adapted to the types of substances being stored – such as flammable liquids, acids, bases, or health-hazardous chemicals – and that its materials and construction must withstand both temperature exposure and potential leakage. Chemical storage cabinet are therefore used in many different environments – from schools, industrial facilities, and laboratories to construction and service operations, and are an established solution for meeting both internal safety requirements and statutory regulations.
Chemicals cannot be stored arbitrarily in a chemical storage cabinet. Incompatible substances must be kept separate to prevent chemical reactions, and flammable liquids require a fire-resistant cabinet that meets the relevant fire classification. Many cabinets are therefore equipped with ventilation, spill trays, and constructions that can contain a fire for a certain period of time, while also being clearly labelled so users can quickly understand what substances are stored inside and the risks they pose. Regular inspections of ventilation, seals, locks, and the condition of containers are part of maintaining safety and help minimize the risk of leaks and accidental exposure.
Legislation across the European Union regulates how chemicals must be stored to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. Under EU law, hazardous chemical products must be handled and stored in ways that minimise exposure risks, prevent accidents, and support safe workplace practices. Classification and labelling are governed by the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, while the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 requires organisations to manage chemicals responsibly throughout their lifecycle, including safe storage and appropriate risk-reduction measures. For certain categories of substances—such as flammable liquids, oxidising agents, or chemicals stored in larger quantities—additional EU fire safety standards, building regulations, and local authority requirements may apply. Workplaces must also comply with the Chemical Agents Directive (98/24/EC), which obliges employers to assess risks, implement control measures, and ensure that storage solutions prevent hazardous exposure. Together, these regulations form a comprehensive EU framework that ensures chemicals are stored safely and that risks to people, property, and the environment are minimised.
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