A Comment to Ragnar Lofstedt's Risk versus Hazard

Extract

It is frequently suggested that the EU in general and Parliament in particular suffer from an addiction to making rules and regulations on all things from chemicals to chocolates and from buses to booze. Classically, this is the first repost of the critic who sees the EU as legal procurator dressing up the legislative Christmas tree. Firstly, it is important to note that there are legitimate concerns that regulations passed in Europe are not always based on the best available science and perhaps even the best scientists. It is up to those with responsibility for making regulation to make it according to best verifiable evidence at hand. When you consider how important the potential implications are for industry and consumers alike then it is clearly of great importance to increase the use of risk analysis tools.

When asked to explain the difference between risk and hazard it is perhaps helpful to consider the life of a zoo keeper in charge of the Lions’ den. The animals themselves can be seen as a “hazard”, when the animals are free and uncaged, people in the surrounding area are exposed to the risk that they may be attacked. However, when the animal is caged, we’re dealing with altogether different beasts as only the zoo keeper (who knows how to handle the risk) could be exposed to certain dangers. It may remain “hazardous” but while those around it are protected there is no exposure to attack, therefore there is no risk.