8. CONCLUSIONS

COMMISSION NOTICE Guidelines providing a common understanding of the term ‘environmental damage’ as defined in Article 2 of Directive 2004/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage · European Union

to reach the maximum acceptable limits established by national or local legislation or relevant authorities or to reach specific risk-based limits set for the site on the basis of the assessment. In order to support justified risk-based decision-making and sustainable risk management, a site-specific assessment that relies on a well-defined CSM (i.e., source-pathway-receptor linkage) and takes into account local site conditions and background values could be regarded as a primary tool for determining the need for risk management actions. Identification and characterization of the scope (e.g., extent of contamination, proximity to human populations, depth to groundwater, proximity to surface water or sensitive habitats): The risk assessment may target the effects on human health, terrestrial animals and aquatic biota of contaminants. Human health will often be the priority. The scope of a risk assessment is determined by site-specific needs. Analysis of the hazard level and toxicity: The hazards of some contaminants are well recognized, with extensive scientific information available on their effects. Analysis of exposure: The goal is to estimate the rate of contact between the identified contaminants and humans or the environment. The analysis is based on a description of actual and possible exposure scenarios, as well as characterization of the nature and extent of the contamination. This may involve exposure measurements such as testing of water supplies, locally grown food, seafood, and human scalp hair and urine. Measurements of contaminant levels in sediments and fish and other biota can identify potential ecologic effects. Analysis of risks: The results of the previous stages are combined to objectively estimate the probability of adverse effects on the protected elements under the specific conditions of the site.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-25 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.