This book provides an easy but comprehensive and rigorous access to the main concepts
terminology methods and procedures of risk analysis intended for all those involved in the EU
policy and regulatory decision making on risks. It establishes a common ground of knowledge
which enables a more informed dialogue on risks a closer collaboration between decision makers
and scientists and a better appraisal of the potential and limits of risk science. The book
also brings together in an accessible way much multidisciplinary knowledge which had been
dispersed over many technical documents and specialist books.The EU is in the front line of
health safety and environmental risk management. GMOs food safety hazardous chemicals
climate change radiation hazards are just a few of the popular risk issues addressed by the
EU through policy and regulatory measures. The risk analysis paradigm including risk
assessment management and communication has been at the core of the EU decision making for a
long time already. EU Institutions strive for a science-based approach to risk management.
Nevertheless the dialogue and collaboration on risk issues between policy makers stakeholders
and scientists are still difficult and the potential and limits of science in support of
decision making as well as the basic concepts of risk analysis are not fully understood
outside the narrow specialist circles.
