Because experts make scientific value judgements in the process of risk assessment, such as the use of default assumptions or scientific choices among a number of alternatives (FAO/WHO, 1997), the question has arisen of whether such judgements should be within the realm of risk management. Particularly in cases where assessment involves uncertainty, it is argued that how such scientific value judgements were undertaken must be clearly explained because they can affect the entire outcome. These were some of the focuses of discussions by several Codex committees (including the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues, the Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods and the Committee on Food Additives) about the application of risk assessment policy,3 which comprises documented guidelines on the choice of options and judgements at decision points in the risk assessment that are established by risk managers in consultation with risk assessors and the relevant stakeholders in advance of risk assessment.