What is a CAS number?

CAS number (Chemical Abstracts Service Number) is a numerical sequence used to uniquely identify a chemical substance in the field of chemistry.CAS number consists of three parts separated by a hyphen, e.g. 58-08-2.It is a standard system for identifying and categorising chemical substances worldwide and is commonly used in the fields of chemical, pharmaceutical, and materials science. chemical, pharmaceutical, materials science and other fields. The CAS number allows you to quickly and accurately find the basic information, structural formula, chemical properties and other related data of a chemical substance.

Why do I need to search for a CAS number?

A CAS number search has many purposes and uses. It can help scientists, researchers and industry practitioners to quickly identify specific information about a chemical substance. Knowing the CAS number of a chemical is essential when manufacturing, researching or marketing a chemical, and CAS number lookups can help to avoid misuse or confusion as some chemicals may have similar names or abbreviations whereas the CAS number is unique.CAS numbers are also widely used in the international trade of chemicals and in logistics management to ensure that information about a chemical is passed on globally in an accurate manner.

How do I perform a CAS number search?

There are several ways and tools to perform a CAS number search. One common way is to search through the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) website, which is the official database of CAS numbers and provides comprehensive information on chemical substances. There are also a number of third-party websites and tools that offer CAS number lookups, which often include more information on the chemical’s application, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), and links to other regulations. Companies or research organisations may also use internal databases to manage and query CAS numbers for their specific needs.

The Importance of CAS Number Lookup in the Industry

In the chemical industry, CAS number lookup is an essential and critical operation. Not only does it help companies ensure that the chemicals they use comply with international standards and regulations, it also reduces risk. For example, when sourcing internationally, CAS numbers ensure that the chemicals supplied by the supplier are exactly the same as those required by the demand side.CAS number lookups also play an important role in the development of new chemicals, product compliance audits, and environmental health and safety management.

Challenges and Considerations for CAS Number Lookup

Although CAS number lookup tools are widely available, some challenges remain. Some chemicals may not have a CAS number assigned to them, especially newly developed or composite materials, and CAS number lookups may yield inconsistent information depending on the data source. Therefore, it is important to select a reliable data source when performing a query. Some databases may require a paid subscription, so users need to weigh the value of the data against the cost of access.

Conclusion

CAS number lookups are a key tool in the chemical industry, helping all parties to ensure chemical safety and compliance. Understanding how to effectively perform CAS number lookups, as well as understanding their application and challenges in the industry, will be of significant help to chemical professionals and related practitioners. By using accurate and authoritative data sources for CAS number lookups, efficiency and data reliability can be effectively improved.