Institute for risk assessment

The Institute was established in November 2002 to strengthen consumer health protection. It is the scientific institution of the Federal Republic of Germany that prepares expert opinions and statements on questions of food and feed safety and on the safety of chemicals and products. The Institute thus performs an important task in improving consumer protection and food safety.

BfR is part of the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). It is independent in its scientific evaluation and research.

The tasks include the evaluation of existing and the detection of new health risks, the development of recommendations for risk reduction and the communication of this process. The results of the work form the basis for scientific advice to the Federal Ministries involved and other authorities, such as the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA). In its assessments and recommendations, BfR is free of economic, political and social interests and makes them comprehensible to the citizen.

A scientific advisory board and several expert commissions support BfR in its work.

Risk assessment: Risk assessment is carried out on the basis of internationally recognised scientific assessment criteria. Based on the results of the risk analysis, the Institute formulates, where appropriate, options for action to reduce the risk.

For further information see here.