04 Mar
Young chemical professionals enter the industry with a passion for discovery—eager to push the boundaries of science, develop innovative materials, and contribute to breakthroughs that shape the future. Yet, many find themselves stuck in a compliance maze, spending hours drafting and managing Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) instead of focusing on what they do best: research and development.
And who to blame? School system, AI, younger generation that see the world with different set of eyes or the companies that are not leaning towards the digitalization and have their data fragementation to the level its unbearable even for older workers? Or because they dont know what digitalization really means?
An aging workforce is a major concern, with up to 25% of the chemical industry’s workforce potentially eligible for retirement in the next five years.
The Compliance Burden: A Bottleneck for Innovation
Chemical engineers and R&D specialists don’t sign up for a career in paperwork. Yet, regulatory compliance forces them into repetitive administrative tasks that eat up their time and drain creative potential. SDS creation, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) updates, ADR transport classifications, and PCN/UFI submissions are necessary—but manually handling them is inefficient, costly, and frustrating.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 14% growth for chemical engineers between 2021 and 2031, faster than the average for all occupations
This growing administrative load has led many companies to seek external help, often relying on expensive consultants or patchwork solutions that introduce even more inefficiencies. The problem? Outsourcing means losing direct control over compliance, increasing costs, and adding unnecessary complexity to internal workflows.
Why Automation is the Smartest Investment
Instead of outsourcing or struggling with outdated processes, forward-thinking companies are turning to automation tools like Chemius. Here’s why:
- Efficiency Without Compromise – Generate compliant SDSs in multiple languages in just five minutes, giving professionals time to focus on R&D instead of regulatory paperwork.
- Comprehensive Coverage – Chemius doesn’t stop at SDSs; it ensures full compliance with ADR transport regulations, PCN/UFI requirements, and more, in one centralized platform.
- Always Up to Date – Regulations shift constantly. Instead of manually chasing updates, Chemius integrates real-time regulatory changes, keeping companies compliant without additional effort.
- Younger generations gets it – Due to user friendliness and funcionalities, Chemius is a platform in which everyone can do the SDS in 5 minutes. And on top of that with just few clicks you can translate and post the PCN notification.
The Real Cost of Outsourcing vs. Automation
The U.S. paint and coatings industry employs approximately 300,700 workers. There’s a lack of awareness among young people about career opportunities in chemical regulations and the coatings industry. We dont have the numbers for Europe, but it would be interesting to see how many young people are in this industry.
Most companies doesnt even look that way. And how do they tackle their problems?
At first glance, outsourcing compliance work might seem like a convenient fix. But the costs add up—consultants charge per document, per update, and per language, leading to escalating fees over time. Companies that attempt to cut corners with budget solutions often find themselves redoing work, dealing with regulatory fines, or facing costly delays.
Automation, on the other hand, offers predictable costs and sustainable efficiency:
- Lower long-term costs – Reducing reliance on external consultancies leads to direct cost savings.
- Stronger compliance control – Keeping regulatory tasks in-house prevents oversight gaps.
- Better talent utilization – Instead of being bogged down with paperwork, skilled professionals can focus on high-value tasks.
Empowering a New Generation of Chemical Professionals
For young professionals in the chemical industry, automation isn’t just a tool—it’s a career enabler. By eliminating routine compliance work, companies can give their teams the freedom to innovate while still ensuring airtight regulatory compliance.
Companies that embrace automation now will:
- Attract and retain top talent who want to do meaningful work.
- Streamline operations by eliminating inefficiencies.
- Future-proof compliance in an industry where regulations are only getting stricter.
The Future is Automated—The Time to Act is Now
Regulatory challenges aren’t going away. If anything, they’re becoming more complex. Companies that continue relying on manual processes or expensive outsourcing will find themselves struggling to keep up.
Automation isn’t just about compliance—it’s about efficiency, cost savings, and unlocking the full potential of a workforce. Solutions like Chemius allow companies to shift their focus from administrative burdens to the scientific breakthroughs that drive the industry forward. Especially if you can reduce your cost up to 70%.
The choice is clear: keep drowning in compliance paperwork or invest in automation and take control of the future. Send us an email at connect@chemius.net for more information and access to documents that will help guide you through a smooth change management process, which can be completed in less than 72 hours (depending on complexity).
