Development of a robust participatory regulatory framework to
Development of a robust participatory regulatory framework to enhance the wider acceptance of innovative chemical technologies – LRI-S 3 Professor Jason Weeks & Dr Sophie Rocks. The aims of this project are to identify the type and form of policy or other evidence required by various stakeholders to facilitate the acceptability, and hence benefits of innovative new chemical technologies, through a better evaluation and communication of the perceived risks of a specific technology. The project will achieve this through the following specific objectives; To map current gaps in existing approaches and perceptions to developing scientific evidence upon which to base concrete and actionable risk communication outcomes. We envisage that a tiered risk framework will accommodate the ability to address knowledge/ data gaps and uncertainty through a process of iteration leading to greater understanding of acceptability. To examine evidence requirements and a greater understanding of the barriers to policy/ perceptional translation of evidence associated with a risk benefit assessment; and, consider the evidence base for factoring in socio-economic assessments into future policy. The work consists of a series of works packages (WPs) – WP 1 provided a review of existing policy regarding technological innovation relevant to the chemical sector and considered existing and emerging national, European and international policies relevant to the regulation of the chemical and other industries. It examined perceived social or technological barriers to the realisation of the wider acceptability of technological innovation pertinent to the chemical industrial sector. WP 2 focussed activities around a workshop to encourage stakeholder engagement and initiated a Delphi process; and harmonisation with the former LRI-S 2. The engagement of key and varied stakeholders in the workshop alongside working with numerous affiliates ensured that dialogue took place within the wider community through various outreach opportunities (a stakeholder engagement group) and other open forum events enabling us to inform and seek knowledge from wider less expert forums, the public and other participants. During this WP we undertook stakeholder analysis to help with the identification of mechanisms to influence other stakeholders. www. cranfield. ac. uk Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK 43 0 AL, UK Contact; j. weeks@cranfield. ac. uk The key objective of WP 3 (Data collation, building and Development of framework) will be the development of a draft framework. Figure 1 below demonstrates a simple tiered iterative hierarchical risk based framework that may be adapted for understanding the barriers to the acceptance of innovative chemical technology involving the need for decision making when faced with limited information. This approach has been widely used previously. The appropriateness of the framework for its intended purpose will also be discussed, with reference to downstream users. Through the use of a realistic and comparable case study the breadth and depth of the framework will be tested. The framework as well as the case study will form part of the Delphi process and use a blend of the advisory group and the stakeholder participation from the initial workshop. Test framework models will be sent to the advisory group for their comments. The amended framework will then be presented at a summary satellite workshop and final adjustments will be made dependent on outcomes of the Delphi process. Finally in WP 4 a case study will be developed to provide fit-forpurpose data for validation of the risk framework approach developed in WP 3. The framework will identify the issues, understand solve specific problems and will focus on the requirement to exemplify specific evidence needs in order to make decisions on future barriers to the acceptability of chemical technologies.
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