International gathering in Dublin focuses on need for evidence-based policy-making across EU

Kevin Bradley, president, Nickel Institute and Julie Girling MEP, chair of the informal European Parliamentary Working Group on Risk
International gathering in Dublin focuses on need for evidence-based policy-making across EU
Pictured: Kevin Bradley, president, Nickel Institute and Julie Girling MEP, chair of the informal European Parliamentary Working Group on Risk

A total of 100 expert speakers and international delegates comprising policy-makers, regulators, governing bodies, industry and academia from the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, environmental and related sectors are gathering in Dublin today and tomorrow for a two-day European Risk Summit to examine the role of science in the formulation of legislation, regulation and directives.

The European Risk Summit, hosted by the Irish Medicines Board, is seeking to help establish international principles as a way forward for science-based rule-making that will support the future of European sustainability, innovation and economic development on the global stage.

The event is discussing the advantages of evidence and risk-based rule-making, as well as the challenges of formulating European directives/regulations and, by extension, national legislation on hazard classifications.

“The Irish Medicines Board is delighted to host the European Risk Summit in Dublin as part of Ireland’s presidency of the European Union,” said Pat O’Mahony, chief executive, Irish Medicines Board.

“Regulation must be driven by evidence and research. The work of the IMB is entirely focused on promoting evidence-based and risk-informed policy-making.

Kevin Bradley, president of the Nickel Institute added: “A risk-based approach to public policy is vital for European industry. It can provide a higher degree of certainty around business continuity, without which industry is faced with many difficult decisions in terms of R&D planning and new investment. Risk-based approaches and a more comprehensive acknowledgement of science-based evidence enables innovation which is, of course, needed for continued European competiveness.”

Karina Corbett