Chemistry did not have such a widespread application in distant times as it has today. Alchemistry was a domain of a small group of persons and its products usually did not pose a hazard to the environment or to humans and even if this happened the extent of such hazard was limited lest to say negligible. Poor development of chemistry in later periods did not involve the adverse effects in the environment. The wastes, relatively nonhazardous to the environment and easily autodegradible, came mainly from the human activities. The present progress in civilization and especially the universal globalization involves application of more and more advanced technologies. These technologies make use of diverse human achievements including these in the field of chemistry. The rapid development of natural sciences and increasing industrial productiveness become to a larger and larger extent oppressive to the environment. Moreover, the scientific research and educational processes have become in and of themselves a source of very hazardous wastes. In consequence a serious ecological problem has arisen calling for central regulatory decisions to be taken.

Purchase, management and use of chemical reagents as well as the waste recovery and disposal are regulated by numerous legal acts. Despite the factual knowledge related to dealing with chemical reagents the knowledge of the relevant regulations within that scope is firmly required.