1.	Prevention is better than cure – it is better to design processes that produce no waste than to produce waste and clean it up.
2.	Processes should be designed to incorporate the maximum amount of the raw materials into the final product, thus reducing waste products.
3.	Raw materials should come from renewable sources.
4.	Energy requirements of processes should be minimised.
5.	Catalysts are better than reagents that are used up in a process.
6.	Chemical products should be designed so that they break down at the end of their useful life to form harmless products.
7.	Methods of making chemicals should be designed to make products that cause no harm to human health or to the environment and that do not cause accidents such as explosions and fires.
8.	Methods of making chemicals should be monitored to prevent the formation of hazardous substances.