Glossary
This multilingual glossary provides easy-to-understand definitions for the main scientific terms used on this website in the risk assessment domain. Terms and their definitions are referenced in our communication products as pop-up notes to explain concepts to the public with no specialist knowledge.
Standard English spelling is used throughout. Acronyms are capitalised. Terms are presented in lower case. Entries are translated into all 24 EU official languages.
The glossary is a living document subject to regular updates. Relevant missing terms may be suggested by using the Ask A Question online form.
Disclaimer: Definitions in the glossary are intended solely to help this website's users understand scientific terminology. Definitions may differ from those given in European Union legislation and in the EFSA Journal.
E
A number used in the European Union to identify permitted food additives. An E number means that an additive has passed safety tests and has been approved for use.
The return of a population or ecosystem to a pre-defined status after a disturbance to its normal activities (e.g. exposure to a toxin or pest, or a change in food supply).
Risk management option accepting some level of effect from exposure to a chemical, biological or physical stressor in a population or ecosystem if ecological recovery takes place.
Risk management option accepting a negligible level of effect from exposure to a chemical, biological or physical stressor in a population or ecosystem.
A community of living organisms in conjunction with non-living components (e.g. air, water and mineral soil). A healthy ecosystem is a finely balanced system where animals, plants and microbes live in harmony with their environment.
Benefits to human or animal populations provided by an ecosystem, such as food or fuel provision, natural medicinal ingredients, and maintenance of soil fertility.
The study of the adverse impacts of substances, particularly chemicals, in relation to the environment and public health.
How well something works in relation to predefined standards or expectations.
A risk to human, animal or plant health resulting from a new source or increased susceptibility or exposure to an existing source.
Consistently present in a population or region, whether dormant or active as measured by clinical tests.
Chemical that can interact with the body's endocrine (hormone) system.
A substance that adversely affects the endocrine (hormone) system leading to negative effects for organisms and/or their offspring.
Describes substances which naturally occur within the body; for example, cholesterol.
A physical or chemical outcome that can be assessed by a test; for example, blood pressure or levels of a potential toxin in the body.
The process of assessing potential harm to the environment caused by a substance, activity or natural occurrence. This may include the introduction of GM plants, the use of pesticides, or the spread of plant pests.
The negative impact of a substance or activity (e.g. chemicals, GM crop introduction) on a population of animals, plants or microbes in the environment (e.g. water, soil).
A protein which stimulates or hastens a specific reaction in the body; for example, digestive enzymes help to break down food into nutrients.
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
A measurement which identifies how widespread and potent a hazard is in a population, or which acts as an indicator of risk to human health; for example, poor hygiene ratings in food outlets acting as a proxy for risk of food poisoning.
The study of how often diseases and other health conditions occur in different groups of people and why. It includes the study of health-related measurements (e.g. pesticide exposure or vitamin deficiency) in a population and how they may influence the risk of ill health.
Environmental risk assessment (ERA) is the process of assessing potential harm to the environment caused by a substance, activity or natural occurrence. This may include the introduction of GM plants, the use of pesticides, or the spread of plant pests.
Any substance which a living organism must consume from the diet in order to support normal health, development and growth.
The name given to policies and laws in Europe which collectively protect the consumer.
Describes substances within the human body which have arisen from an external source in the diet or environment; for example, veterinary medicine residues.
Concentration or amount of a particular substance that is taken in by an individual, population or ecosystem in a specific frequency over a certain amount of time.
One of the key steps in risk assessment, this relates to a thorough evaluation of who, or what, has been exposed to a hazard and a quantification of the amounts involved.
A protein which is made to a particular DNA recipe. Typically used to mean a protein generated as a consequence of the genetic manipulation of an organism.