Hello Janet,
I can understand the reasoning behind the request in industry, we use a similar methodology to maintain a chemical inventory which is reported out through SARA Title III annually. Any newly purchased, listed substances require a separate entry during the year above and beyond the annual report. This report is readily available to the fire department, local community and LEPCs in case of an emergency. I assume this is also performed at educational facilities being an EPA regulation. Sara III also enacts "right to know" which means all material SDS's must be available upon request for all things on-site, perhaps he is working towards a SDS library. I always thought it humorous to ask for a SDS for water, as its in every building. Furthermore, GHS compliance is another EH&S headache - All new SDS's for the entire library, ugh...
We also use this process to prevent incompatible bulk materials from being brought into our facility, I recall an ambitious salesperson trying to stock potassium permanganate. This was vetoed by the review process as strong oxidizers present a sizable risk to a facility that houses hundreds of thousands of gallons of oils, glycols, etcetera. Segregation in academia is handled at the lab level, so a bit different situation.. I would guess you are not looking at elastomer compatibility either, which is also part of our review for bulk handling.
Perhaps ask him specifically what is is looking for, or work towards a list of acceptable products that he compiles as SDS's are reviewed so it's only new chemistries that are reviewed. Just some thoughts, but he may be bringing in this concept due to industry experience or have an objective that has not clearly been communicated to the team.
