Choosing a 3PL for hazardous stock: what good looks like

Outsourcing storage and fulfilment is straightforward for ordinary stock. Add dangerous goods and the bar rises sharply. Here is what to look for in a warehouse partner when your products carry a hazard.

Licensing and limits

Storing dangerous goods is not the same as storing boxes. There are limits on what can be held, in what quantities, and how it must be kept. A credible partner will tell you plainly what they can and cannot store, and will not wave the question away.

Segregation done properly

Some substances must be kept apart from others, and from ignition sources. Ask how segregation is managed on the floor, not just on paper:

• Are incompatible classes physically separated?
• Is there a clear system for where each product lives?
• Who checks it, and how often?

With hazardous stock, good housekeeping is not tidiness. It is the difference between a routine day and a serious one.

Security and traceability

You should know where your stock is and who has touched it. Our service centre offers racked, dry, secure warehousing with CCTV monitoring and an alarmed, monitored site. Every consignment is tracked until proof of delivery and a signature are obtained, and PODs are available to retrieve through our online portal.

One point of contact

When something needs sorting, you do not want a call centre. Every customer is offered an account manager as a single point of contact, so the person you speak to already knows your stock, your constraints and your deadlines.

If you are weighing up storage for regulated products, start with the hard questions above. A good partner will welcome them. To talk through your requirements, get in touch with our warehousing team.