Summary of Key Issues and Best Practices in Risk Analysis

Abstract

This Chapter follows up on the previous ones and provides a synthetic list of key aspects for a best-practice approach to risk analysis, together with some guidance on each aspect. Although in previous Chapters we have also briefly discussed certain aspects and problems of the EU regulatory policy and practice in order to provide a broader perspective on the approach to risk, we focus here on the main theme of the book, risk analysis. The summary of best practices presented here does not aim to cover all the details of the organisation and operation of the different components of risk analysis. The summary proposed should be seen in light of the more detailed discussion of the corresponding issues presented in this book. The issues addressed have been identified examining the guidelines, the rules and practices of the EU Institutions and risk assessment bodies, as well as the practices in other jurisdictions, and are the basis for establishing a high quality risk analysis approach. Obviously, the application of these practices needs to be modulated and adapted depending on the nature and complexity of the risk issues considered, the practical structures in place for risk assessment and risk management and the applicable legal framework. This summary of best practices may help establishing check lists for supporting the quality assessment of current or proposed procedures and practices.