This publication is a chapter in the book: Derivation and Use of Environmental Quality and Human Health Standards for Chemical Substances in Water and Soil. Editors: Mark Crane, Peter Matthiessen, Graham Merrington, and Paul Whitehouse. CRC Press, pages 5-30.

It explores the variety of different types of ‘standard’ adopted in legislation and regulation and examines the economic, social and legal contexts of the establishment of these standards, proposing a framework for the development of new standards. Copies of the book are available from CRC Press