Laboratory notebooks are used for recording all experimental and analytical notes and data. New notebooks should be logged out to a chemist. The notebook remains the property of the laboratory and should be kept in a central location by the laboratory after it is filled.

Notebooks used in the laboratory should be hard-covered and bound. Use of notebooks with removable pages (e.g. loose-leaf notebooks) should be discouraged. The pages of the notebook should be numbered and any entries made by an individual other than that to whom the book was assigned should be noted. Some laboratories require that the individual's notebook pages be signed by the chemist for legal reasons.

The notebook should contain all information gathered by the chemist pertaining to the sample. Where appropriate, lab number, field number, sequence number and other identifying numbers are noted. Measurements requested, identification of the method, modifications to the method and the sample originator should be included. A description of the sample (whether bulk material, charcoal tube, etc.) should be included. Data on quality assurance aspects of the sample set such as blank values, recovery studies and duplicate determinations should also be included. Formula used to calculate results and a sample calculation should be shown.

If permanent retention of computer printouts, recorder charts or similar items is deemed necessary, they should be pasted, taped or stapled in the notebook, if practical.

The minimum data entered in the notebook should be sufficient to enable another chemist to derive the same results as the original worker, with no other source of  information. In addition to this minimum data, any other facts appropriate and pertinent to the sample analysis are to be entered. A chemist's notebook is always subject to inspection by his colleagues, supervisors or inspectors from outside the laboratory. Therefore, it is imperative that the notebook be maintained in a professional manner and contains all pertinent information that may be required by other parties, regardless of the particular importance of that information to the chemist. Furthermore, the notebook must be maintained in such a manner that it can withstand challenges as to the validity, accuracy or legibility of its contents.