Beyond Green Analytical Chemistry: Designing Sustainable Analytical Laboratories of the Future

Dear Colleagues,

Analytical chemistry is central to decision-making in pharmaceutical development, environmental monitoring, food safety, clinical diagnostics, and materials science. Traditionally, “green analytical chemistry” has focused mainly on reducing toxic reagents and solvent consumption, minimizing waste, and improving safety at the method level. However, to truly support the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), analytical laboratories must evolve from using isolated “green methods” to the implementation of fully sustainable systems that integrate environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

This Topic will focus on emerging strategies that go beyond traditional green chemistry principles by integrating holistic sustainability frameworks, including social responsibility, energy efficiency, digital transformation, and regulatory alignment, into analytical science. The aim is to explore how analytical laboratories can transform into fully sustainable ecosystems that meet the expectations of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond.

The Topic welcomes contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following subjects:

• Transitioning classical analytical methods into green, blue, and white analytical workflows;
• Greener alternatives for solvents, reagents, and materials;
• Sustainable instrumentation and energy-efficient laboratory operations;
• Life-cycle and sustainability assessment tools;
• Digital solutions supporting sustainability in method development;
• Applications in drug, food, and forensic analysis;
• Policy, education, and management perspectives in sustainable lab practices.

I firmly believe that this Topic will offer a timely and multidisciplinary platform for researchers to share innovative insights that advance sustainable development within analytical science.

Prof. Dr. Sami El Deeb
Prof. Dr. Maria Kristina Parr
Topic Editors