RISK COMMUNICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS - THE MONITORED INTRODUCTION OFTHE EC POST-SEVESO DIRECTIVE

Implementation of article 8.1 of the EC-''Seveso'' Directive (82/501/E C) is now under way in many countries in Europe. In The Netherlands, t he implementation of the Directive started with a carefully monitored introduction of active information provision at two sites (Dordrecht a nd Elst). This introduction was supported by a multidisciplinary resea rch group. This group helped to develop the risk communication program and also played a role in the evaluation of the program. This paper d escribes these processes and their evaluation. We will focus on the de sign of the risk communication programs and the effects of the program s on knowledge and attitudes of the local target groups. This effort a nd its results clearly started an institutional learning process invol ving governmental bodies at several organizational levels (local, regi onal, and national), and industrial organizations (individual firms an d organizations of industries). Monitoring the design, the implementat ion, and the effects of active information provision proves an effecti ve means to gain experience with the implementation of the Seveso Dire ctive and could help to facilitate further implementation.