Risk communication
Risk communication is an important task of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. It is defined as a continuous and interactive process and characterized by a participatory dialogue with various target groups.
Our topics in the area of risk communication
Our task
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment risk communication goes far beyond informing all involved and interested parties about the institute's assessment work and its results. Providing the public with early information about potential health risks, findings, and work results forms the basis for a continuous process and dialogue.
Principles of risk communication
In its risk communication, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment follows the following three principles to strengthen the trust of all stakeholders in the risk assessment process:
- Transparency
- Reliability
- Maximum openness
Participatory dialogue
The goal of a participatory dialogue is to determine whether there are differences in the perception, assessment, and handling of risks among the various target and stakeholder groups. Only if the values and norms underlying the individual risk assessments of the dialogue participants are known can they be taken into account. Such a dialogue can result in both consensus on assessments and options for action, as well as disagreement. In either case, the outcome provides important guidance for risk managers and their decisions.
Target groups
The target groups of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and thus its risk communication are broad. They include:
- Federal and state ministries, authorities at the municipal, state, and federal levels
- Consumer associations and other interest groups
- Scientific institutions
- National and international committees and organizations
- Business and trade associations
- Media
In addition to the media, consumer advice centers, Stiftung Warentest (German Consumer Protection Agency), and the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE) are important disseminators in informing the public.
Legal basis
The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has a legal mandate to provide information about potential, identified, and assessed risks that food, substances, and products may pose to consumers. The entire assessment process must be presented transparently to all citizens. Through comprehensive, complete, and comprehensible risk communication, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment makes science visible, usable, and applicable for consumers.