Per the EHS SOP Chemical Disinfectants for Biohazardous Materials it is essential that containers of disinfectants used to decontaminate biohazardous materials be labeled to ensure that the disinfectants are: 1) made at the appropriate concentration; 2) have not expired. For these reasons, auditors need to be familiar with common disinfectants and check durable containers of disinfectants for appropriate labeling.
Appropriate labeling consists of the chemical name; including the concentration, if applicable (some disinfectants are used full strength, others are used in a diluted solution), the date the solution was made or if it is used undiluted, the manufactured date or received date*, and the date of expiration (shelf life).
*The received date is the date the chemical was acquired by the lab. While the manufactured date is preferred as it is more accurate for shelf-life, the date the chemical was acquired by the lab is acceptable. If only the received date is indicated on a commercial bleach bottle, it is recommended the auditor add an expiration date of 1 year post receiving and let lab occupants know that concentrated bleach solutions expire after 1 year.