A CAS number (Chemical Abstracts Service Number) is a unique identifier assigned to chemical substances by the Chemical Abstracts Service, a division of the American Chemical Society. CAS Numbers are used globally to provide a standardised way of identifying and cataloguing chemicals. Each CAS number is a specific numerical identifier that helps in the accurate identification and retrieval of chemical information across various databases and scientific literature. CAS numbers play a crucial role in chemical research, regulatory compliance, and chemical safety by ensuring precise identification of substances, even if they have different names or synonyms.
A CAS Number (Chemical Abstracts Service Number) is a unique identifier assigned to chemical substances and sequences of polymers, proteins, nucleotides, and other types of biomolecules by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), a division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The purpose of CAS Numbers is to provide a standardised and universally recognised system for identifying chemical substances, enabling efficient communication and accurate data retrieval across scientific research, regulatory activities, chemical safety, and commerce.
CAS numbers consist of a series of digits separated into three parts by hyphens, such as XXXXX-XX-X. Each part of the CAS number provides specific information about the substance:
- The first part (up to six digits) represents a unique numerical identifier for the substance, assigned sequentially as new substances are registered with CAS.
- The second part (two digits) specifies the check digit, which is used to verify the accuracy of the CAS number.
- The third part (one digit) is a “grouping digit” that indicates the number of chemical substances that are related or structurally similar.
The assignment of CAS numbers is governed by specific rules and guidelines established by CAS. When a new chemical substance is discovered or synthesised, researchers and manufacturers can apply to CAS for the assignment of a CAS number. CAS maintains an extensive database known as the CAS Registry, which contains detailed information about millions of chemical substances along with their corresponding CAS numbers.
The importance of CAS numbers lies in their ability to uniquely identify chemical substances, regardless of their common names, synonyms, or structural variations. This ensures precision and consistency in chemical communication, facilitating efficient data exchange and retrieval in scientific literature, patents, regulatory filings, safety data sheets, chemical databases, and commercial transactions. CAS numbers are widely used by chemists, researchers, regulatory agencies, industrial companies, and other stakeholders involved in the production, distribution, use, and regulation of chemicals.
CAS numbers are essential tools in the field of chemistry and related disciplines, serving as standardised identifiers that enable accurate identification, classification, and communication of chemical substances across various sectors worldwide. Their systematic adoption has significantly contributed to the advancement of chemical knowledge, safety, and innovation.
A CAS number, also known as a Chemical Abstracts Service number, is a unique identifier assigned to a specific chemical substance to facilitate accurate identification and retrieval of information about that substance.
A CAS number consists of three parts: a two- to seven-digit number, followed by a hyphen, two more digits, and a check digit in the form of a single digit or an “X” if the check digit is 10.
CAS numbers are assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service, a division of the American Chemical Society, which is responsible for maintaining the largest and most comprehensive database of chemical substances.
No, CAS numbers are not legally required for all chemical substances. However, they are widely used in scientific research, regulatory compliance, and product safety assessments to ensure accurate identification and communication of chemical substances.
No, each CAS number is unique to a specific chemical substance. Even if two substances have similar properties or structures, they will have different CAS numbers.
CAS numbers can be found in various sources, including chemical databases, safety data sheets (SDS), product labels, and scientific literature. Online databases such as the CAS Registry provide comprehensive search capabilities for finding CAS numbers.
Yes, CAS numbers are internationally recognised and widely used in various industries and regulatory frameworks. They serve as a common language for identifying chemical substances across different countries and facilitate global communication and collaboration.
No, CAS numbers do not provide information about the purity or quality of a chemical substance. They solely serve as a unique identifier for the substance itself. Purity or quality specifications are typically determined through separate testing and analysis methods.
No, CAS numbers cannot be trademarked or copyrighted as they are assigned by a public organisation (Chemical Abstracts Service) and are intended for universal use in identifying chemical substances.
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This glossary post was last updated: 28th April 2024.
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