Draft for Review (2 May 2003) Precautionary Framework for Public Health Protection Summary

The Precautionary Framework is an overarching concept encompassing procedures to consider in managing risks that are either known (i.e. relatively established and certain) or uncertain. It is intended that the precautionary framework provides knowledge at all key stages and thus ensure a more comprehensive understanding of overall or aggregate risk. The Precautionary Framework also provides ways to develop options for reducing exposure to physical, chemical or biological agents, to assess and select the option or options most appropriate for the risk being considered, and facilitates implementation, evaluation and monitoring the chosen option(s).