Examples include the continuing beef stories, hormones and BSE, the issue of plasticizers and that of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and indeed the GMO debate.
Various parties relate to the precautionary principle with various understandings, claims and hopes.
One of the ways to comprehend these multifarious meanings is to examine the composition of this norm in the societal and institutional settings in which it is budding. Such is the Communication on the precautionary principle, whose first intent was to build a consensus among the various Directorate Generals within the Commission, thus paving the way for a common position among the EU institutions as well as a common understanding among the Member States. Risk analysis best practice or the differentiations operated between precautionary approach and precautionary principle are not the only framings or confinements of the precautionary principle. Furthermore, positions regarding the precautionary principle often focus on a very limited set of disputed issues such as 'zero risk', 'the worst case scenario', 'serious or irreversible damage' and 'shifting the burden of proof'. Governing risks comprises selecting risks to the environment and health, to international relations, to innovative enterprises.