Generally, chemical service providers (www.chemicalstrategies.org/implement_whatiscms.htm

That is, they don’t start out in client companies by taking over management of all chemical needs.

For example, a chemical service provider might purchase and deliver chemicals, manage material safety data sheets (MSDSs), pick up waste, and provide data for some environmental reports. Later, they might expand their work scope to include such services as research for chemical substitutes and process efficiency improvements.

“When the customer/supplier relationship reaches a level of mutual trust and respect, the supplier can then begin to truly integrate itself into the customer’s internal processes and identify greater opportunities for reducing their use of chemicals, lowering costs, and changing processes to improve performance,” according to Laura Wolfson, program manager at the Chemical Strategies Partnership.