A full migration pathway of a chemical reagent in a scientific or educational institution, starting from purchase of the reagent through its presence at the workplace till a moment of disposal of its derivative products, has been traced. On that route the legally binding regulations concerning the purchase and usage of the chemicals as well as the recovery and disposal of the chemical waste were taken into account.

The present title is meant for the persons employed in all-type institutions conducting research or educational activities where a use is made of chemical reagents.

One workable solution concerning the management of chemicals and the derived waste has been proposed. Of course, this solution may be subject to some modifications, important from a practical point of view, depending on specific conditions existing in a given institution. Introducing such modifications, one has to make every endeavour to ensure that the changes do not stand in contradiction to the established law – hence a broad chapter devoted to the acts and regulations with references to the Journal of Laws of the Polish Republic or the Official Journal of the European Community aimed at making easier the process of moving in an impenetrable maze of regulations, acts and directives.

The currently used classifications and labeling of the chemical reagents and wastes in Poland and the European Community have been presented. It is to be noticed, however, that there are far more solutions in this field.