Gujarat is industrially the second most advanced state in the country, largely because of availability of natural oil and gas in the state and other natural resources. Gujarat has been recognized as one of the most important chemical center of India. It tops the country with maximum number of chemical industries in the State. This factor has resulted in the concentration of many major, medium and small scale units manufacturing and processing various types of chemicals, fertilizers & petrochemicals, dyestuffs, paints, pesticides, insecticides, manmade fibers, drugs and pharmaceuticals, etc. Development of chemical industry in the State is a matter of pride but cannot be forgotten the hazards and threats posed by them to the environment.

The latest amendment of Factories Act in 1987 and the Gujarat Factories Rules in 1995 can be considered as the most eventful and exhaustive especially in term of safety, health, fire control, environmental protection creation of public awareness, emergency/disaster management plans etc. Obviously serious incidents like the Bhopal tragedy of December 1984 brought out the dire need for the total rework of the existing legislation applicable to industries in general and chemical units in particular.