Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Here you can find frequently asked questions, divided into starter questions, general questions, beginner questions, and advanced questions.
Start
Is Stoffenmanager® a recognised tool?
An independent international scientific advisory board is attached to Stoffenmanager®. This advisory board includes representatives of various top universities and knowledge institutes from Europe and beyond. The task of the advisory board is to advise on the further development of the Stoffenmanager® tool. In this way we ensure that Stoffenmanager® 8 complies with the very latest legislation and regulations and is in line with the latest scientific insights. Stoffenmanager® has been validated on the basis of more than 7000 measurements and is (inter)nationally recognised by local authorities and the EU. With Stoffenmanager® you go through the four steps of SZW's Self-inspection Tool for Hazardous Substances. Stoffenmanager® is mentioned in the REACH R.14 Guidance of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, August 2016): "Table R14-13: Domain of reliable application of Stoffenmanager® (the algorithms can only be found at www.stoffenmanager.com in its most recent version)".
What kind of licences are there for Stoffenmanager®
We have a free licence and paid licences. On our website you can see for yourself which licence suits you best. Through our contact form you can request a (free) quotation.
I would like to know more about the modules offered in Stoffenmanager®.
If you are interested in one or more modules or licences, please contact us (without obligation) via our contact form. You can get more information about the different licences and modules. A quotation can also be arranged for you. We give a demo for free, please contact us.
I don't have much experience with hazardous substances and Stoffenmanager®. What can I do?
You can attend the free basic hazardous substances training. In this training you will learn basic concepts, global legislation, etc. After that, you could attend Stoffenmanager® training courses. These are offered both online and in person. Check our agenda.
How do I create a location structure and why is this useful?
It is useful to create a location structure so that you can link products to the right location. You can then filter by location, where you can easily and quickly find products. You can create a location structure by going to the gear wheel in the blue bar and then choosing "locations".
What types of substances can Stoffenmanager® do risk assessments for?
Stoffenmanager® has a scope. Here you can see exactly what kind of risk assessments can be done with Stoffenmanager®.
What is the best way to view my risk assessments?
To view and compare risk assessments, go to "assessment" and "inhalation risk assessment" in the big blue bar, you will see the risk assessments overview. In the red bar, go to the three dots and choose "columns". Here you can switch on, for example, the columns "task concentration", "limit value task", " RCR task", "task duration", "daily concentration", "limit value day" and "RCR day". You can see in 1 overview which risk assessments are controlled or not.
General
I forgot my password, how do I log in now?
You can click "Forgot password?" at login. You will then be sent a link to reset the password.
In our Premium account, the administrator is absent for an extended period of time. There is no other administrator. What now?
If there is no other administrator, it is best to contact the helpdesk.
Can Stoffenmanager® also enter our products and do the matching reviews?
We are currently using a system other than Stoffenmanager® to list our products. We do want to start doing assessments. Can this data from the other system be put into Stoffenmanager®?
We are currently using a system other than Stoffenmanager® to list our products. We do want to start doing assessments. Can this data from the other system be put into Stoffenmanager®?
In most cases this is possible. XML files can be uploaded into Stoffenmanager®. However, these XML files must have the same format. Would you like to know more about this? Please contact us.
Is there any way to assess my hazardous materials storage sites?
Yes, this is possible with our PGS-15 module (this module is only available in the Dutch version). In this, you create your storage areas, link your product (available from Stoffenmanager®) and you can thus test your storage and facilities against the PGS-15 guideline. You can purchase this module in addition to your licence. Attached you can find our leaflet with prices. Would you like to use this module you can contact us.
Beginner
I just created an account. How should I proceed?
Congratulations on your new account! It's best to create a location structure first, once you've done that you can enter a product. Click here to see the video.
How do I create a product?
You go to "inventory" and then choose "new product". You fill in the five different tabs, which are listed below each other. There are references displayed to the different sections of the safety data sheet where you can find the information. Click here to see the video.
What vapour pressure of the product can I enter if the SDS does not state the vapour pressure of the product?
If you do not know the vapour pressure of the product, we recommend choosing the vapour pressure of the component that is present in the product in the largest percentage, or the most volatile component. If these values are not known, you may enter a default value, e.g. 2300.
Can I link a product to multiple locations?
A product can be linked to multiple locations. During product creation, you can select multiple locations in "general data" under the heading "location".
The components in section 3 of the SDS often have a range. Which percentage should I use?
The answer can also be found in the manual Stoffenmanager which can be downloaded from the dashboard. If a range is given in the SDS, e.g. 10-20%, at least the middle of the range (15%) must be entered. This is the way the calculation rules have been scientifically validated. If you take the upper range, you are unnecessarily estimating worst-case exposure.
I cannot find my (created) component when creating a product.
If a component cannot be found when you create a product, this may have the following causes:
1. The component is not yet in your Stoffenmanager® account. Create a component by clicking the green button in the product at ""Safety and health information"", you can create a new component here.
2. The component is a liquid and you have marked you product as a solid. In this case, select that your product is a liquid.
3. The component with the corresponding CAS number is already linked to your product.
I am entering a paste or gel, does it fall under liquid or solid?
A paste or gel is best entered into Stoffenmanager® as a liquid with low vapour pressure (<10 Pa).
How can I get data on components?
When you create a component, you will see a "view on Gestis" website button. If the component is known in the Gestis website, this button turns blue. If you click this button, you will enter the Gestis database. You will find data such as vapour pressure, H-phrases, etc.
How can I manage the columns in Stoffenmanager®?
You can manage columns by going to the red or blue bar of your overview. Click on the three small dots in the bar, choose "columns". You can select the desired columns here.
In what way can I filter a particular H-sentence?
You can turn on the "hazard designation" column in the product overview. Here you can search for specific H-phrases.
How do I filter the product/component/RI&E overview?
You can filter the summaries by choosing the desired filter or sort for each column. For some columns, you can also search by a specific word or number. You can also add or remove columns from the overview yourself. You can do this using the three buttons at the top of each column.
How do I run reports from the product/component/RI&E overview?
Stoffenmanager® has a red overview (edit) where changes can be made directly to the product/component/ RI&E. Stoffenmanager® also has a blue report overview where you can select further columns. Please note: in the blue report overview you cannot see your implemented changes. For that you have to update the overview first.
I can't delete a product. How come?
If you cannot remove a product, this product may be linked to a risk assessment (inhalation or skin). In the case of an inhalation risk assessment, there may also be a job-day average linked to the risk assessment.
The procedure for removing a product is:
- Remove the function daily average.
- Remove the risk assessment (skin and/or inhalation).
- Remove the product.
- Remove any components and supplier.
Note! Components and suppliers can only be removed if they are no longer linked to other products.
How do I use the hazard lists in Stoffenmanager®?
As a user, you can choose to use the company settings or to use only a subset of the lists selected by the company administrator. By default, the Dutch CMR list is selected.
If you want to manage CMR and hazard lists as an administrator, go to the wheel, "My company" and then select "CMR policy and hazard lists". Here you can select which CMR lists you want to use. If you have a Premium licence, you can also select hazard lists.
I cannot delete a component.
If you cannot delete a component, it may be because the component is still linked to a product. It could also be that the product is archived or that you have named a new version of the product, whose old version still has the component linked to it.
I want to do a risk assessment, but I cannot find the product, even though I have created the product.
You may have linked your product to a different location, than the location to which you want to do the risk assessment. Make sure the risk assessment location and the product are the same.
Why is the hazard class eyes always set to "B", even though no H-phrases have been added yet?
The hazard class "B" is the lowest class for eyes. A hazardous substance can always cause some degree of eye irritation, so Stoffenmanager® will not display an A class.
Can I add a solid to a liquid?
Yes, this is possible. Please note! Are you performing an assessment involving aerosol formation, spraying of the substance, higher temperatures, etc.? Then select "solid and liquid" as the type when creating the relevant solid components. If you want to carry out an assessment for this, it is best to assign this component a low vapour pressure (<10 Pa).
How is it possible that I see more products in my dashboard than in my products overview?
The dashboard shows the total number of products entered in Stoffenmanager®. The moment you have archived products, your product overview will show less products than on the dashboard. To find these products, go to the product overview, click on the three dots in the red bar and choose "archived". If you turn off the filter at "archived", you will see the same number of products that are also in your dashboard.
Advanced
Can I create my own product or Risk assessment fields?
In the Premium version of Stoffenmanager® it is already possible to use own product and Risk assessment fields. These are then also shown on the WIC card and, of course, in all overviews. You can create these fields via the settings (cogwheel, top right of your screen) -> "my company" -> "own fields". This is also described in our manual, which can be found on the Dashboard and can also be downloaded here.
How does the (re)calculation of vapour pressure at different process temperatures work and how reliable is this calculation?
A formula described in the literature and validated and approved by the Stoffenmanager® International Scientific Advisory Board is used to convert the vapour pressure at a process temperature > 20°C. This is not publicly available. Only researchers and authorities can gain insight into the formula under a confidentiality agreement (click here for more information).
Why does the vapour pressure differ between the SDS and the data in Stoffenmanager® (via the GESTIS link)?
The supplier may specify a different vapour pressure. For the components, we really refer to the data coming from GESTIS. For the vapour pressure of the product, we refer to the SDS. Sometimes it has to do with the temperature at which the vapour pressure was determined, the origin of the data (scientific or theoretical/calculated) etc. If you are really in doubt, it is advisable to ask the supplier what the data is based on.
How can I change the permissions for a user of Stoffenmanager®?
You can modify users "rights and roles" via the key icon. If you go to settings (cog icon), then click "users and rights", you can find the overview of users. You cannot modify the rights of users who are also administrators.
What is the DPD and how do I use it?
The digital product depot (DPD) can be activated by the administrator of your account. The DPD can be used as a catalogue of all products in your account. Using the DPD is useful if several branches of your company work together in an account. However, there are some points of interest here that are best discussed with your us.
How come I can't archive a component?
This could be due to several reasons. If you use REACH when reviewing, and that component is reviewed in it, that could be a reason. It could also be that an old version of one of your products has the component linked. You can see this by clicking the following in Stoffenmanager®. Go to: product overview> report> turn on columns "version number" and "composition" > in "version number", choose "all versions" > type the cas number of the component in the search field of "composition". If the component appears in one of the older versions of a product, that is the reason you cannot archive the component.
Can I archive a product that I do not use (temporarily)?
You can archive products that are not being used. You can do this by clicking on the product, which will take you to the 5 tabs where a product can be entered. If you scroll all the way down, you will see the "archive" button. If you click on it, you can archive the product.
If you have done a risk assessment with this product, you will have to archive the risk assessment first, then you can archive the product.
Unfortunately it is not possible to archive a job daily average, you will have to delete it first. However, it is possible to make an Excel export (Premium) of the overview of the job daily averages.
How can I dearchive a product?
To dearchive a product, go to the product overview. On the red bar, click on the three dots and choose "Columns". Choose "Archived". Filter on "yes" and "partially". Click the product you want to archive and scroll all the way down. Click on "dearchive".
Why does Stoffenmanager® not notify me if the classification of a product/part/part has changed after an update to one of the lists?
Currently, Stoffenmanager® does not provide notification for changes related to the classification of a product/part. You can read in the newsletter when changes have occurred and which changes they are. You can subscribe to the newsletter on the homepage.
If I assess a substance with a component that has a boiling point lower than the process temperature, then I get no result but an information block saying: "Stoffenmanager® has not been able to make a calculation for you been able to make…"
The moment a component has a boiling point lower than the process temperature, it is a gaseous component.
Stoffenmanager® has not been validated to do assessments for gases, hence Stoffenmanager® does not provide an assessment for that component.
What does the abbreviation Q.S. mean on my SDS?
The abbreviation Q.S. stands for: Quantum satis (abbreviation q.s. or Q.S.) is a Latin term meaning the amount which is enough (Wikipedia). The supplier will have to specify what the actual range is for this component.
How to apply control measures in Stoffenmanager®?
Taking measures is covered in the training Stoffenmanager® part 3. Here you will learn step by step how to take control measures and how these can be included in the action plan in Stoffenmanager®.
I can't find limit values for all my components, now what?
You can find limit values lists in Stoffenmanager® at component creation. If there are no limit values displayed, you could take Stoffenmanager® training part 2. Here you will learn how to find and possibly derive limit values yourself. The consultants of Stoffenmanager® can also help you with this. The toxicologists can also derive toxicological limit values for you. Please contact us.
We have done several assessments in Stoffenmanager®. But in some outcomes, we are unsure about the results.
The consultants can look into your account with you. Based on this, the consultants can determine what further needs to be done. The consultants could elaborate further on risk assessments for you and possibly (air) measurements (NL) could be done.
Can I also do risk assessments in Stoffenmanager® with a spray can?
It is possible to do risk assessments with a spray can. Spray cans contain liquids and gases. Please note that in Stoffenmanager® gases cannot be assessed, so the values that can come from them are not reliable. You indicate the product as a liquid with a default vapour pressure of 2301 Pa. Give the liquid components the values corresponding to those components. It is best not to give the gas components a vapour pressure, so they are not included in the calculation. When doing the risk assessment, choose liquid and the action "working with liquids at high pressure and visibly producing a mist or haze".