title: EU risk assessment: science and policy.
abstract: The EU risk assessment programme on existing substances is governed by Council Regulation (EC) 793/93. This regulation sets out a framework for evaluating and controlling the risks posed by existing substances. The results of the EU risk assessment programme are science-based regulatory risk assessments. This paper gives an overview of some fundamental principles governing the EU existing substances risk assessment programme, focusing on where and why there may be gaps between science and policy. Examples are then given showing that EU regulatory decisions are based on science, but also illustrating how policy influences the regulatory decisions.
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, European Chemicals Bureau, Via E. Fermi, I-21020 Ispra (VA), Italy.
authors.forename: Sharon Janette
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Munn
authors.forename: Bjorn Gaarn
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D011640:Public Policy; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens