The first point in setting the context and scope of the risk assessment is selecting relevant endpoints and/or representative species which will be used to measure the occurrence of any potential adverse affects on the protection goals that may occur.

The purpose of an assessment endpoint or of representative species is to provide a measure that will indicate whether or not the LMO may cause an adverse impact on a protection goal. In order to be useful, the selected assessment endpoints or characteristics of the representative species should be specific and measureable.