Uncertainty as a boundary object between assessment and management of risk

Guidelines for how uncertainty should be treated and communicated in science-based risk assessment often makes a clear distinction between risk assessors, which are responsible for describing and quantifying uncertainty, and... [ view full abstract ]

Guidelines for how uncertainty should be treated and communicated in science-based risk assessment often makes a clear distinction between risk assessors, which are responsible for describing and quantifying uncertainty, and risk managers, which are responsible for deciding on how to act in the face of uncertainty. We argue that ‘uncertainty’ can be seen as a boundary object that connects the world of assessors and managers. A boundary object allows different communities to interact and communicate, but at the same time maintains the distinctiveness of the groups and allows them to understand the boundary object in their own way. Assessors can analyze uncertainty in a scientific manner; managers can make decisions based on evidence, uncertainty, as well as other concerns. Boundary objects, thus, establishes arenas for communication without demanding consensus on how an object should be understood. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently suggested new guidelines for how uncertainty should be assessed and communicated in all their scientific assessments. The purpose of EFSA risk assessments is to guide decision-making. If the guidance document does not allow for assessors and managers to communicate in a way that both groups can accept and find useful, the purpose of the risk assessments will not be met. The guidance document gives ample space for risk assessors to scientifically treat uncertainty. No particular method for uncertainty analysis is prescribed, but the decision is left to the risk assessor and should be based on the particular case. The guidance document further asks assessors to transparently communicate the results of the uncertainty analysis. There is a potential that the EFSA guidance document can establish uncertainty as a boundary object over which assessors and managers can meet. We ask if this potential is met.