"We need to continue and accelerate this process of risk assessment and risk management. However that, on its own, is not sufficient. Where we have strong concerns about particular chemicals, we should not wait for the results of full risk assessments before taking action - the precautionary principle makes it clear that we have an obligation to act to prevent serious harm to the environment or to human health even in the absence of full scientific certainty."

This principle says that where there is a risk of serious or irreversible damage, we should not wait until all the scientific proof is in.

Post Brexit, the precautionary Principle is officially written into UK law through the Environmental Act 2021 However, its legal strength, interpretation, and daily application have significantly shifted since the UK left the European Union. IEA