Vorsorgeprinzip
The Vorsorgeprinzip, often translated as the precautionary principle, is a concept in environmental policy and risk management. It asserts that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus that the action or policy is not harmful, the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those taking the action. This principle suggests that it is better to err on the side of caution when dealing with potential threats, even if scientific evidence is not yet conclusive.
The Vorsorgeprinzip is particularly relevant in areas where potential harm could be irreversible or long-lasting, such