Air Carrier Captain reported the NOTOC provided to flight crew was disorganized and confusing resulting in a hazardous situation.

Narrative

Hazmat onboard was a variety of Lithium Batteries and some CAI [Hazmat chemical]. NOTOC sheets were a mismatch of information. Some pallets on one form and not on the other. Information for pallets that visually looked exactly the same differed. One pallet was regulated but the adjacent pallet that looked exactly the same was not regulated. With no single list of items onboard we first had the issue of my inspection finding items that were not on the NOTOC I was handed but were found on a separate sheet that was prepared. I had made a list of all the pallets I found containing hazardous materials and what sort of materials they were when I came back to the flightdeck. With a lot of help from the handlers we began to unravel the confusing mix of information. None of the items were unusual but not having consistency of the labeling and listing was troubling to make sure that all items were properly boarded and documented. We also discovered that the separation guide for HAZMAT wasn't onboard. The handlers acquired a new one and brought it to the aircraft so we could figure it out.The handlers were also under the impression that Lithium Metal batteries were safer and did not pose a hazard. This is contrary to the FAA's testing where they had to stop Lithium Metal battery fire test prior to the planned time due to the safety of the test aircraft they were using. Additionally; the handlers didn't seem stressed over safety; only the departure time. There was only pointing to our policy of not requiring some Lithium batteries to be listed as the fix for everything. Once we were able to get the multiple sheets together we worked through my list of pallets and then were able to determine they were listed. The pallets that were visually the same were still able to be carried in either case and no difference could be ascertained without unloading and tearing off the covering of the pallets.The cause of this appears to be based more in the non standard regulations and company policy towards Lithium batteries. They all pose a hazard and as we saw in the [previous] incident; even the batteries contained in devices can have disastrous results. It seems that the company policy only complicates the issue by not consistently requiring all Lithium Battery shipments to be listed. Even if they have the note that they are non regulated it alleviates the concerns while ensuring the crew is notified and prepared in the event of a fire. I'm very comfortable with the regulations around Hazmat and try to stay up to date. This wasn't a lack of knowledge on my part but a lack of clear information being provided.Create a single policy for shipment of Lithium Batteries and Hazardous materials in general requiring them to all be listed on a single NOTOC. I would further recommend that the system be developed so that all materials contained on a single pallet will be listed in grouped sections. Preferably we could further extend this so that the listings are all based on position in the aircraft; nose to tail; top to bottom so we can more easily assess a situation in flight if it would develop.