Evaluation Selection Analysis (ESA)

The ESA is a three step process which helps us to identify candidates for evaluation:

Step 1 – High throughput selection of candidates by using hazard and exposure information to develop a risk profile. 

Step 2 – Application of weighting modifiers to determine relative risk:

• reports of adverse events
• international regulatory action
• effects occur at low exposures
• vulnerable sub-populations identified
• potential for bioaccumulation
• extreme persistence
• known introduction in Australia including detection of the chemical in Australian monitoring data.
• volume introduced
• stakeholder need for information.

Step 3 – Determining overall priority for evaluation based on risks and available resources, data, and information:

• our capacity and resources
• maximising work efficiencies
• quality and quantity of available data
• relative risk weightings
• initial risk profile and existing risk management controls
• capacity of risk managers and stakeholders to respond to evaluation outcomes.