Regulation of chemicals

The regulation of chemicals is the legislative intent of a variety of national laws or international initiatives such as agreements, strategies or conventions. These international initiatives define the policy of further regulations to be implemented locally as well as exposure or emission limits. Often, regulatory agencies oversee the enforcement of these laws.

Chemicals are regulated for:

• environmental protection (chemical waste, and chemical pollution of water, air, subterrestrial,and terrestrial environments such as of pesticides)
• human health (such as in cosmetics and foods) and drugs (recreational and pharmaceuticals)
• chemical weapons prohibition (such as for the Chemical Weapons Convention)