The precautionary principle The precautionary principle enables
rapid response in the face of a possible danger to human, animal
or plant health, or to protect the environment. In particular,
where scientific data do not permit a complete evaluation of the
risk, recourse to this principle may, for example, be used to
stop distribution or order withdrawal from the market of
products likely to be hazardous. Communication from the
Commission of 2 February 2000 on the precautionary principle
[COM(2000) 1 final - Not published in the Official Journal]. The
precautionary principle is detailed in Article 191 of the Treaty
on the Functioning of the European Union (EU). It aims at
ensuring a higher level of environmental protection through
preventative decision-taking in the case of risk. However, in
practice, the scope of this principle is far wider and also
covers consumer policy, European legislation concerning food and
human, animal and plant health. This Communication establishes
common guidelines on the applicat