When organic chemistry meets the law: what scientists need to know about the European legal framework
Researchers from the University of Liège have published a tutorial article in Chemical Society Reviews aimed at organic chemists. The article offers a practical, structured guide to understanding the European legal framework that governs - and increasingly constrains - their daily laboratory work. Ordering reagents, exporting samples, engaging in international collaborations: these routine activities are now subject to complex regulations that scientists can no longer afford to overlook.
C
hemists are trained to master the transformation of matter in order to obtain complex, high-value molecules. The legal framework that governs scientific research ever more closely, however, often remains unfamiliar to researchers. Yet today, some of the most routine laboratory activities - ordering reagents, pursuing international collaborations, exporting samples, or publishing results - are subject to increasingly stringent national, European, and international regulations.
In a tutorial article recently published in Chemical Society Reviews, scientists from the University of Liège offer a clear and structured analysis of the European legal framework applicable to organic chemistry. The article proceeds from a simple but fundamental principle: ignorance of the law is no excuse - including in academic research.
Chemistry with major societal implications
The article examines how European and international law intersects with the practice of organic chemistry, particularly in areas of significant societal impact. Three major domains lie at the heart of the analysis: substances related to narcotics and psychotropic compounds, their derivatives, and their precursors; compounds associated with chemical weapons; and, more broadly, dual-use goods and knowledge — that is, materials and expertise with legitimate civilian applications that may nonetheless be diverted for prohibited purposes.
"These rapidly evolving legal frameworks are often complex, fragmented, and difficult for researchers to anticipate," explains Jean-Christophe Monbaliu, chemist and director of the CiTOS laboratory at ULiège. "Yet inadvertent non-compliance can expose both scientists and institutions to administrative or criminal sanctions."
An unprecedented dialogue between chemists and legal scholars
Mindful of the stakes at the interface of chemistry and law, Jean-Christophe Monbaliu joined the University of Liège's institutional Dual Use support unit, which assists researchers in identifying and managing risks associated with the dual-use potential of their research, in a European context of strengthening regulatory oversight.
"This dynamic gave rise to a close collaboration and a co-supervised doctoral project between the CiTOS laboratory and the European Studies Unit (ESU), led by Quentin Michel at ULiège," adds Jean-Christophe Monbaliu, "fostering a structured and enduring dialogue between chemists, legal scholars, and political scientists."
Beyond its legal analysis, the article is above all conceived as a practical tool for chemists. It provides concrete interpretive frameworks, examples drawn from laboratory practice, and guidance for more effective engagement with regulatory authorities.
This reflection extends beyond the institutional context. It also aligns with the broader mission of EECARO, a European academic network co-founded by Prof. Quentin Michel. EECARO brings together universities, legal experts, and researchers around questions of export control, dual use, and regulatory compliance, with the aim of developing best practices adapted to the academic environment.
Responsibility, security, and academic freedom
At a time when Europe is both reinforcing its security policies and calling for greater innovation, this article conveys a key message: academic freedom cannot be separated from legal responsibility. By clarifying the legal framework and making it accessible to chemists, this work contributes to safeguarding research, protecting researchers, and preserving European scientific competitiveness.
Scientific reference
“Nemo Censetur Ignorare Legem: What Research Chemists Should Know About the EU Legal Framework”, S. Bianchi, C. Campalani, V. Vella, Q. Michel and J.-C. M. Monbaliu, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2026
Contacts
Funding
- WEL Research Institute
- University of Liège
