Decision support and expert systems : uses and users

Many industrial processes, products, and residuals such as hazardous and toxic substances, pose risks to man and are harmful to the basic life-support system of the environment. In order to reduce risks to individuals and society as a whole, and to ensure a sustainable use of the biosphere for present and future generations, it is imperative that these substances are managed in a safe and systematic manner. The aim of this project is to provide software tools which can be used by those engaged in the management of the environment, industrial production, products, and waste streams, and hazardous substances and wastes in particular. This set of tools is designed for a broad group of users, including non-technical users. Its primary purpose is to improve the factual basis for decision making, and to structure the decision-making process in order to make it more consistent, by providing easy access and allowing efficient use of methods of analysis and information management which are normally restricted to a small group of technical experts.