###### Abstract  
Sample preparation is a key step in the analytical procedure. This step is a time- and labor-consuming process, and often it is also expensive, with costs being influenced by the consumption of materials and reagents. Additionally, the toxicity of the reagents, waste generation, and energy consumption affect the environment and the safety of the analyst. New trends in sample preparation are focused on the development of miniaturized methods that are consistent with the principles of green sample preparation and contribute to environmental sustainability. The results of a comprehensive assessment of ten methods of preparing water samples for the determination of UV filters using gas chromatography are presented. Three assessment tools were used for this purpose: AGREEprep (the analytical greenness metric for sample preparation), BAGI (the blue applicability grade index), and the RGB 12 algorithm (red-green-blue model). All the differences and similarities between the three aforementioned metrics are discussed in this manuscript. The results of the evaluation of the most frequently used microextraction methods show their ecological friendliness, effectiveness, and practicality. The results of this assessment will allow researchers to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the given methods and select those that meet their requirements. assessment tools; gas chromatography; greenness; microextraction methods; UV filters +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
solid-phase microextraction (SPME), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSFE), microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS), bar adsorptive microextraction (BAuE), stir bar sorptive dispersive microextraction (SBSDME), single-drop microextraction (SDME), in situ suspended aggregate microextraction (iSAME), hollow-fibre liquid-phase microextraction (HFLPME), dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), ultrasounds-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (USA-DLLME), vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (VA-DLLME), and ultrasounds-assisted emulsification microextraction (USAAE-ME). Based on the literature review, it is concluded that the most popular microextraction techniques for determining UV filters are the following: SPME (\(\sim\)24%); DLLME, with various variants (\(\sim\)24%); SBSE (\(\sim\)16%); MSPE (\(\sim\)5%); and others (\(\sim\)16%). For instrumental techniques, the most common choices for the detection and quantification of the compounds studied in water samples remain gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry [5, 6, 7, 8]. Selecting the most appropriate analytical method for determining UV filters in water samples, among many developed methods, is not an easy task. When choosing a method, validation criteria should be taken into account, i.e., accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and selectivity, as well as economic and practical factors, i.e., costs, time, and ease of use. Moreover, special attention is currently being paid to the ecological aspect of the analytical method. According to the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC), methods should be used that do not pose a threat to human health and the environment. GAC is an aspect of green analytical chemistry that was introduced in the late 1990s. It is a concept that is based on twelve principles related to the environment, health, and safety [9]. GAC takes into account, among other things, the use of safe solvents/reagents, the generation of toxic waste, and the safety of the analysts. In 2022, [PERSON] et al. [10] proposed ten principles of Green Sample Preparation (GSP) that aim to develop greener analytical procedures. In GSP, the GAC principles have been extended to include the use of solvents/reagents from renewable sources and reusable and/or recyclable materials. Additionally, GSP takes into account sample throughput, miniaturization, and the automation of the method. However, in 2021, [PERSON] et al.