Environmental and health risks caused by chemical substances have been intensively debated in various arenas of science and policy, and in news media. The impacts of risk debates on the public have been widely studied, while less attention has been paid to expert views. We present results from a cross-national survey charting expert views on the policy-level assessment, management, and communication of chemical risks. We focus on the need for reflexive concepts and approaches in risk assessment and governance when seen as social learning processes. Based on the results we present recommendations for improving risk communication of expert organizations. (Contains 2 figures.)