风险行政的预防原则

风险预防不同于危险防御,其适用于科学上不确定的风险行政领域,在我国具有法律原则的重要地位。为了更好地保护基本权利,国家可以根据预防原则设计风险预防机制,并在特定条件下采取一定的风险预防措施。但因为风险的不确定性,国家在采取风险预防措施时存在较大的裁量空间,也容易侵害经营自由、科研自由或引发贸易纠纷。故而,如果某产品有潜在的负面效果,经风险评估判明存在科学上的不确定性,方可决定采取风险预防措施。在采取措施时,国家应当遵守比例原则、平等对待原则等要求,应当说明理由,保障公众的参与机会,并根据情况变化在事后进行评估与调整,以提高措施的可接受性、充实风险信息。在风险预防措施的合法性引起争讼时,因存在科学上的不确定性而难以适用客观性举证责任,应由双方主体在各自的责任范围内举证说明,以帮助法院解明案情,适时作出裁判。

On the Precautionary Principle in the Administration of Risk

Risk precaution, different from risk prevention, applies to the administration of risk that is scientifically uncertain, and occupies an important position as a legal principle in China. In order to better protect fundamental rights, the government can design a precautionary mechanism based on the precautionary principle and take certain precautionary measures under specific circumstances. However, because of the uncertainty of risk, the government may have much room for discretion in taking precautionary measures, and thus is likely to infringe on the freedom in business management and in scientific research, and may even cause trade disputes. Therefore, the government can only decide to take precautionary measures, when a product has a potentially negative effect, and the effect is scientifically uncertain according to the risk assessment. When taking precautionary measures, the government should observe the principle of proportionality and equal treatment, explain the reasons, guarantee the opportunity for public participation, and afterwards should evaluate and adjust the measures according to the change of circumstances, so as to improve the acceptability of such measures and enrich the rick information. Since it is difficult to apply the objective burden of proof due to scientific uncertainty, when disputes arise over the legality of the risk precaution measures, both parties should provide evidence within their respective responsibilities to help the court understand the case and make a timely decision.