6. Conclusions and outlook

Over the last fifteen years or so, analytical chemistry has been enjoying a new lease of life, thanks in particular to developments in life and environmental sciences, green chemistry and nanotechnology. In particular, the application of green chemistry principles to the analytical sciences has enabled environmental issues to be taken into account in the choice or development of an analytical technique or method. The question of protecting people and the environment arises, and must arise, at every stage of an analytical process, and concerns in particular :

• reduced volumes of reagents, solvents and samples;

• reducing waste production;

• reducing energy, water and gas consumption...

• access to faster, on-site analytical monitoring to reduce the...