The application of risk assessment procedures is based on widely agreed criteria and, whenever necessary, default values. The assessment itself aims to cover a wide extent of situations through "reasonable worst case scenarios". The result, based on the ratio of predictive to no-effect concentrations "PEC/PNEC", is usually performed into various regulations on a pass/fail basis, practically by ban/approval. Due to the volumes handled (more than 2/3 of the total), there is evidence that the main potential of emissions is represented by the industrial facilities. This document pays a particular attention to situations which escape to the usual knowledge, among the remaining third: it is an attempt to address questionable cases that are rather ignored than managed. It calls for the use of means which, in certain cases, may significantly reduce the risk (simple guidance for decisions and controlled conditions) and solve local problems with a limited impact. At this early stage, the contents of this document should be taken as proposals: in case they would develop interest, they will have to be widely consolidated, discussed and validated, particularly concerning the options taken on substances and materials.

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