Requirement

The need for risk assessment may, for example, occur when: it has been discovered that a food or animal feed has a high content of a hazardous substance, or authorities want to develop new regulations in a specific area, or because authorities wish to provide evidence-based advice to consumers.

Mandates

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority or the Norwegian Environment Agency takes the initiative of deciding that a risk assessment is required. VKM designs the assignment in dialogue with the client, and decides which panel or panels should make the assessment. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority puts many of the mandates to VKM out for consultation. In some cases, VKM itself may initiate a risk assessment (self-tasking).

The assessment

VKM describes the hazard that has been identified, evaluates the possible effects, and calculates the exposure level. The risk is determined by combining the likelihood of a detrimental effect occurring and the severity of the possible damage that would be caused.

The panels or the scientific steering committee are professionally responsible for the risk assessments. If necessary, external experts are also invited to participate. Scientific staff in the secretariat are project managers for the risk assessments.

Publication

Completed risk assessments are delivered to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority or the Norwegian Environment Agency within a prescribed deadline. When the deadline expires, the risk assessment is published on the VKM website.

In assessing risk, we review, compile, and evaluate available scientific documentation. We describe the risk, assess potential effects, and calculate exposure levels.