Federal Institute for Risk Assessment

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)

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 reports and statements on questions of food and feed safety as well as the safety of chemicals and products. The institute thus performs an important task in improving consumer protection and food safety.

The BfR belongs to the division of the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). It is independent in its scientific evaluation and research.

Tasks

The tasks include the assessment of existing and the detection of new health risks, the development of recommendations for risk limitation 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, for example the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA). In his reviews and recommendations, that is BfR free of economic, political and social interests and makes them understandable for the citizen.

A scientific advisory board and several expert commissions support this BfR at his work.