Science Based Decisions and Risk Assessment: A European Perspective
Arpad Somogyi, D.V.M., Ph.D., Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium
The central significance of science in regulatory decisions is universally recognized, and therefore the quality of scientific advice is of paramount interest in decision making. Many institutions underwent recent and substantial organizational changes with the aim of enhancing the level and integrity of the scientific contributions to regulation. At the same time it is widely understood that science is only one factor in regulatory decision making. New concepts and methods in risk analysis and in the interpretative application of the precautionary principle, have given impetus to novel developments in several areas of safety evaluation. Current international efforts to harmonize the scientific principles of regulatory systems could lead to the enhancement of health protection of consumers as well as free and fair trading practices in food, drugs and the large variety of other commercial products all over the world.