Science and Risk Regulation in International Law

The regulation of risk is a preoccupation of contemporary global society and an increasingly important part of international law in areas ranging from environmental protection to international trade.

This book examines a key aspect of international risk regulation - the way in which science and technical expertise are used in reaching decisions about how to assess and manage global risks. An interdisciplinary analysis is employed to illuminate how science has been used in international legal processes and global institutions such as the World Trade Organization.

Case studies of risk regulation in international law are drawn from diverse fields including environmental treaty law, international trade law, food safety regulation and standard-setting, biosafety and chemicals regulation. The book also addresses the important question of the most appropriate balance between science and non-scientific inputs in different areas of international risk regulation.

• Contains a detailed analysis of relevant case law from the World Trade Organization concerning risk regulation, making this a valuable resource for international trade specialists
• Covers examples of risk regulation from a variety of international fields, including food safety, climate change and chemicals management
• Situates the topic of risk regulation and the role of science within broader international law theories and debates, for example questions of international law's legitimacy, concerns regarding international legal fragmentation and the role of powerful institutions in shaping international law