Innovation in Regulatory Science: Metrics for Evaluation of Regulatory Science Claims Based on Best Available Regulatory Science

This paper describes the historical evolution of the Best Available Science concept leading to Best Available Regulatory Science (BARS) and Metrics for Evaluation of Regulatory Science Claims (MERSC). The paper identified five BARS Principles consisting of Open-mindedness, Skepticism, Scientific Rules, Ethical Rules, and Reproducibility. These Principles lead to three pillars. The pillar of Standardization consists of Proven Science (scientific laws and their applications); Evolving Science, consisting of Reproducible, Partially Reproducible, Association Based, Hypothesized Evolving Science; Borderline Science (Judgement and Speculation); and Fallacious Information. The pillar of Reliability includes Personal Opinions, Gray Literature, Peer-reviewed, and Consensus-processed Science. The final pillar describes areas Outside the Purview of Science, implying that societal objectives, ideology, or any other non-scientific issue are not science but policies. The separation of science from non-scientific issues and processes is a key element of regulatory science.https://doi.org/10.21423/jrs-v05n01p050 (DOI assigned 4/17/2019)