Determining whether chemical containers in systems are ‘durable’ or ‘transient’, like those that are hooked up to equipment or part of a chemical reaction system is sometimes difficult. In these cases, you’ll have to ask the lab workers if the containers are consumed or emptied at the end of each work session (transient) or whether they are used over the course of two or more work sessions (durable).
Exhibit A shows an HPLC system. In this equipment, and other automated lab equipment, there are at least two different types of containers - one for unused chemical reagents, and one for collection of waste or effluent from the machine or process. Remember, there will be differing labeling requirements for reagent containers and waste containers. Exhibit B is another example of a container functioning as part of a system.
We’ll talk about waste container labeling later. For now, recognize that waste containers always need to be labeled - it doesn’t matter if they are transient; and that you’ll have to determine if the reagent chemical containers are transient or durable.