When conducting field work, it's important to secure the necessary permissions to collect various types of samples and, if needed, transport them out of the country. These permissions can be obtained from local authorities, such as the local environmental agency or landowners, as well as national authorities like the German environmental protection agency. Additionally, when dealing with protected species or internationally regulated activities, compliance with laws like the Naturschutzgesetz (Nature Conservation Act) and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is crucial. Moreover, even laboratory-based research may require attention to international laws, such as the Nagoya Protocol, if the samples originate from another country.

We will give a short overview of some of the most important laws in the following chapter.