The Precautionary Principle

Sustainable growth is a conservative risk-averse strategy that is best understood in terms of the precautionary principle implicit in the process. This principle was first formerly affirmed by the European Union back in 1990 in its Bergen Declaration on Sustainable Development. It requires steps be taken to avoid or diminish serious or irreversible damage to the environment (or to human health) from human activities, if such damage is scientifically plausible but remains uncertain. 

We have entered a unique epoch in history where human activity is the key driver of change to the Earth system. The sheer magnitude of anthropogenic perturbations to the system obligates the adoption of a precautionary stance with respect to consumption of resources and in dealing with externalities associated with it. Sustainable 

FIGURE 2.1 Linear flow of materials supporting an expanding consumer base. 

It is the notion that econontic development is necessarily pitted against environmental health (Caccia, 2001) that has resulted in the exploitation of the commons and spawned outrageous incidents of social injustice across the globe. If growth and 

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T. O Riordan and J. Cameron, Interpreting the Precautionary Principle, Eaithscan, London, 1994. 

Because of the great importance of drinking water for human health, quality standards for pesticides in water were developed at Community level based on the precautionary principle. Toxicological considerations were not taken into account to derive the general limit for pesticides. 

Article 6 of the RoHS Directive (recast 2011 [9]) says 1. With a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 1 and taking account of the precautionary principle, a review, based on a thorough assessment, and amendment of the list of restricted substances in Annex II shall be considered by the Commission before 22 July 2014, and periodically thereafter on its own initiative or following the submission of a proposal by a Member State. .. . 

A lot of people do not realize that this leaves the evaluation completely on the negative side. The worst effect of the overestimation of the PA promoted as a principle is its absolute focus on the negative aspects of biotechnology. This has been summarized by Elizabeth M. Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health, and aptly sums up the shortcomings of the precautionary principle [24]. 

Kuntz-Duriseti K (2004) Evaluating the economic value of the precautionary principle using cost benefit analysis to place a value on precaution. Environ Sci Policy 7 291-301 Lai R, Follett RF, Kimble J, Cole CV (1999) Managing US cropland to sequester carbon in soil. 

A review is presented on European regulatory initiatives focussing on products containing chemicals, which are potential sources of environmentally hazardous materials. Particular attention is paid to brominated flame retardants in the light of the European Commission s official position in relation to the Precautionary Principle. 18 refs. EUROPEAN COMMISSION... 

This chapter is presented unashamedly from a European perspective. It is after all in this continent that phrases like the Precautionary Principle have gone beyond their existence as an ecological mantra and have become established as part of law-making. But let no one imagine for one moment that the problems and the challenges are unique to Europe or that they could be confined safely within its boundaries. 

With knowledge regarding concentrations and the fate of surfactants it should be possible to identify areas at risk and to design the most appropriate countermeasures. By applying the precautionary principle, the protection of sensitive aquatic freshwater and coastal ecosystems and of a sustainable supply of drinking water in areas with high population densities should be ensured. 

For all future activities, and in order to achieve sustainable management of water resources, including related soil and sediment compartments, the strategy to be followed should involve (i) the precautionary principle, (ii) polluter pays principle and (iii) application of the best available techniques (BATs) and best environmental practices, including where appropriate, clean technologies. 

It implements the Precautionary Principle. Arguments against the Precautionary Principle commonly centre on what degree of evidence of harm is necessary before action is taken to restrict the use of a substance. When applying the Substitution Principle, it is not necessary to wait for cancers, reproductive disorders or genetic defects and elusive evidence of cause and effect. If alternatives with less hazardous intrinsic properties are available, use of the hazardous substance is not permitted. The potential for harm is then reduced or avoided altogether. 

The first warning against the use of phthalates in toys was the Recommendation adopted by the European Commission on 1 July 1998 concerning toys and childcare articles intended to be placed in the mouth by children under three years of age, made of soft PVC and containing phthalates. The Commission Decision of 7 December 1999 (1999/815/EC) [58] made it possible to prohibit the use of certain phthalates on the basis of the legislation on general product [59]. Since 1999, The Commission Decision 1999/815/EC [58] was extended more than 20 times in the name of the precautionary principle until the adoption of Directive 2005/84/EC [60]. This Directive restricted the use of DEHP, DBP, and BBP in the manufacmre of toys and childcare articles intended for children and DiNP, DiDP, and DnOP are limited only in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mouth. The restriction states that the amount of phthalates may not be greater than 0.1% by mass of the plasticized material part of the toys. The member states of the EU applied this directive from 16 January 2007. 

Certain regulations contained in the air legislation and also in the annexes to the Waste Water Ordinance include the substitution of hazardous substances as the best available technology and thus attempt to put into operation the precautionary principle (cf UBA texts 88/99, Guidance Manual for Formulators and Other Professional Users of Chemicals). 

Remaining lack of knowledge and remaining uncertainties even after applying scientific methods. One reaction to this is to out the precautionary principle into operation. 

Work in the [riw] program coincided with a far-reaching reform of European chemicals policy. This opened up extensive opportunities for not only an analytical, but also consultative (interventional) accompaniment of this extensive institutional innovation . For SubChem this was primarily a matter of developing some fundamental correlations and founded (quahtative) arguments regarding possible ecological, health and economic opportunities and risks arising from the EU Commission s proposals for a new chemicals policy. Contributions for operationalisation of the precautionary principle and the economic effects of the REACH process to be expected were particularly in demand. 

We had originally planned to formrrlate an improved system for chemical assessment and evalrration, by taking all dimensions of sustainability into account and with the avoidance of simply shifting the problems. However, we in the Sub-Chem project resolved to develop more appropriate forms of dealing with deficiencies in knowledge and better ways to put the precautionary principle into practice. 

European Environment Agency Late lessons from early warnings the precautionary principle 1896-2000, in Environmental Issue Report no. 22 2002, http //reports.eea.eu.int/environmental issue report 2001 22/en Freeman, C. Lundvall, B.-A. Smah countries facing the technological revoluhon, London and New York (Pinter Pubhshers) 1988... 

A generally accepted definition of the Precautionary Principle has never been brought forward. According to a popular definition (Wikipedia 2006) The precautionary principle is a moral and political principle which states that if an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm to the public, in the absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not ensue, the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action. The precautionary principle is most often applied in the context of the impact of human actions on the environment and human health, as both involve complex systems where the consequences of actions may be unpredictable. ... 

At international level, the precautionary principle was first recognized in the World Charter for Nature, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1982 (EU 2000). It was subsequently incorporated into various international conventions on the protection of the environment. 

In 2000, the European Commission issued a communication on the precautionary principle (EU 2000), in which it adopted a procedure for the application of this concept. The precautionary principle is not defined in the treaty, which prescribes it only once - to protect the environment. But in practice, its scope is much wider, beyond that of environmental policy, and, specifically where preliminary objective scientific evaluation, indicates that there are reasonable grounds for concern that the potentially dangerous effects on the environment, human, animal, or plant health may be inconsistent with the high level of protection chosen for the Community. The precautionary principle is implemented, for example, in the EU food law and also affects, among others, policies relating to consumer protection, trade and research, and technological development. 

The issue of when and how to use the precautionary principle, both within the EU and internationally, is giving rise to much debate, and to mixed, and sometimes contradictory views. Thus, decision-makers are constantly faced with the dilemma of balancing the freedom and rights of individuals, industry, and organizations with the need to reduce the risk of adverse effects to the environment, human, animal, or plant health. Therefore, finding the correct balance so that the proportionate, nondiscriminatory, transparent, and coherent actions can be taken, requires a structured decision-making process with detailed scientific and other objective information. 

EES A. 2006. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) website. http /www.efsa.europa.eu EU. 2000. Communication from the Commission on the Precautionary Principle. Brussels, 2.02.2000, COM (2000) 1. http /ec.europa.eu/dgs/health consumer/library/pub/pub07 en.pdf EU. 2001. White Paper on the Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy, http //ec.europa.eu/consumers/ cons safe/prod safe/other EU/chem policy en.htm... 

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