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The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)

"Identify risks - Protect health" - this is the guiding principle for the work of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in the field of consumer health protection.

The Institute was set up in November 2002 to strengthen consumer health protection. It is the scientific agency of the Federal Republic of Germany which is responsible for preparing expert reports and opinions on food and feed safety as well as on the safety of substances and products. In this context, the Institute plays an important role in improving consumer protection and food safety.

BfR reports to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). It enjoys independence in respect of its scientific assessments and research.

Tasks
Its tasks include the assessment of existing and the identification of new health risks, the drawing up of recommendations on risk reduction, and the communication of this process. The results of its work serve as the basis for scientific advice to the relevant federal ministries and other agencies, for instance 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 not influenced by any economic, political or social interests. It presents them in such a way that they can be easily understood by the general public.

A scientific advisory council and several expert committees support BfR in its work.

Risk assessment
Risk assessment is done on the basis of internationally recognised scientific assessment criteria. Based on the risk analysis results the Institute formulates, where appropriate, management options for risk reduction.

Risk communication
BfR has the statutory task of informing the public about potential, identified and evaluated risks which foods, substances and products may entail for consumers. The assessments are presented in a transparent and easily comprehensible manner. Whilst respecting the confidentiality of protected data, the results are readily accessible for the general public on its website. At expert hearings, scientific meetings and consumer fora the Institute enters into a dialogue with important stakeholders from politics, the sciences, associations, the business community and non-governmental organisations.

Research
BfR conducts its own research on topics which are closely related to its assessment tasks in consumer health protection and food safety.

Cooperation
BfR engages in scientific cooperation with international institutions and organisations and with the institutions of other countries involved in consumer health protection and food safety. One focus of its work is its cooperation with the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA.

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Das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung

Independence of the BfR

Public discussion about the independence of the executive and political advisory bodies is important, because it allows institutions like the BfR to measure themselves by quality and transparency standards.

Background Information

 (1)
Date Title Size
01.07.2017
The Federal Institute of Risk Assessment at a glance – dates, facts and background 69.0 KB
PDF-File

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Publications - Brochures

 (3)
Date Title Size
22.05.2012
BfR Anniversary Brochure
10th Anniversary of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment 4.0 MB
PDF-File
16.05.2017
BfR Anniversary Brochure
15 Years of German German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment 5.8 MB
PDF-File
11.11.2022
BfR Anniversary Brochure
Mission: Safe daily life - The BfR celebrates its 20th anniversary 3.7 MB
PDF-File

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Other documents

 (2)
Date Title Size
23.06.2003
Press Release of the International Office of Vine and Wine
Professor Reiner Wittkowski elected as President of the International Office of Vine and Wine (OIV) 176.1 KB
PDF-File
25.08.2010
BfR Information Nr. 039/2010
BfR becomes first German federal scientific institute to be certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001 38.7 KB
PDF-File

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Press releases

 (75)
Date Title Keywords
10.03.2023
05/2023
Detecting genetic modifications CRISPR, genetically modified organisms (GMO)
27.01.2022
03/2022
20 years of the BfR - 20 years of identifying risks and protecting health German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
10.11.2021
44/2021
For safe tattoo inks: BfR event promotes exchange between scientists, lawmakers and manufacturers risk communication , tattoo
08.11.2021
42/2021
Innovative, non-animal methods for risk assessment of chemicals in the centre of interest chemicals
20.01.2021
03/2021
What's in your food: a look into the BfR MEAL Study kitchen BfR MEAL Study, food safety , risk communication
12.11.2020
38/2020
What about the intellectual property of government research institutions? glyphosate
28.10.2020
35/2020
Attention! Danger: what fear does to us risk communication , risk perception
21.08.2020
26/2020
Greetings from the founder
20.02.2020
05/2020
Together for the science metropolis research
28.02.2020
06/2020
Professor Dr. Tanja Schwerdtle - new Vice President of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment personal data
30.09.2019
35/2019
Conclusion of the BfR Consumer Conference on Genome Editing: Lots of potential, but clear rules required consumer conference , consumer vote , CRISPR, genome editing
29.08.2019
34/2019
When the crisis hits: International crisis practice helps prepare for an emergency scenario risk communication
08.08.2019
28/2019
What came before the egg? The world’s largest chicken made of plants knows the answer risk communication
26.07.2019
27/2019
Science Council certifies BfR's reliable research research
06.05.2019
14/2019
BfR grants electronic access to files for first time glyphosate, risk communication
18.02.2019
08/2019
Uncertainty - a normal part of science risk communication
18.01.2018
03/2018
Nanoparticles released from artificial hip joint nanomaterials
19.01.2018
04/2018
Germs and more - Clever kitchen hygiene food safety
04.12.2017
48/2017
The person behind the algorithm and the cow in a haystack: risk assessment on the big stage at the BfR Science Slam risk communication
19.10.2017
43/2017
BfR2GO: Consumer health protection "to go" German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, risk communication
29.09.2017
37/2017
BfR school kids' university: Young people in Berlin explore consumer health protection risk communication
27.09.2017
35/2017
Commemorative medal for BfR Vice-President personal data
22.08.2017
29/2017
BAM, UBA and BfR in US to promote careers in German departmental research research
16.05.2017
19/2017
Independent, science-based risk assessment essential for consumer health protection research
30.01.2017
03/2017
Food supplements - a trend without risks? food supplements
18.01.2017
01/2017
Breakfast at the BfR - with certainty! food safety
15.11.2016
46/2016
Between truth claims and wishful thinking - science for politics and society risk communication
09.09.2016
34/2016
Attractive career paths in German departmental research: BfR presenting itself in the USA together with BAM and UBA to find top researchers personal data
05.08.2016
31/2016
Japan as partner for Germany in the international network for food safety cooperations, research
02.08.2016
29/2016
Scientific exchange with Switzerland to be strengthened cooperations, research
29.06.2016
26/2016
For more animal protection and food safety - jointly with the Netherlands cooperations, research
21.06.2016
23/2016
Scientific exchange between Germany and China to strengthen product and food safety cooperations, research
10.02.2016
07/2016
Energy Drinks: When do they pose a risk? risk communication
14.01.2016
02/2016
Wild game and wine - sure, as long as it’s safe food infection , game
02.11.2015
32/2015
Use of antibiotics in agriculture decreasing, antibiotics resistance stagnating antimicrobial resistance
17.09.2015
24/2015
Diversity instead of monotony - safe through variety KiESEL study, risk communication
10.06.2015
13/2015
Cooperation agreement with Korean Food and Drug Administration renewed
19.01.2015
02/2015
The challenge of antimicrobial resistance - a holistic consideration and the latest insights into risk perception antimicrobial resistance, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
16.01.2015
01/2015
From the field safely onto the plate pesticides
28.10.2014
29/2014
Boosting Bulgaria's food safety system international
16.10.2014
27/2014
Online dialogue forum: consumers ask the BfR about aluminium risk communication
07.05.2014
10/2014
Fraunhofer Food Chain Management Alliance to become a New BfR Research Partner
15.01.2014
02/2014
Don’t catch anything - consumer tips for handling fish food hygiene , food safety , marine biotoxins
04.11.2013
29/2013
The BfR President responds to questions from consumers on hormonally active substances risk communication
18.09.2013
26/2013
Protecting children from poisoning risk communication
05.09.2013
25/2013
Information event to be staged by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment at the Alexanderplatz in Berlin risk communication
01.08.2013
20/2013
Involving citizens - promoting acceptance health
14.01.2013
01/2013
Vitamins and minerals are essential but: getting the dose right is crucial! acrylamide , food supplements , vitamins
14.11.2012
39/2012
How independent can science be? risk communication
04.10.2012
30/2012
Shishas, tattoos and bubble tea - cool but risky? risk communication
01.10.2012
27/2012
Professor Dr. Gilbert Schönfelder, Toxicologist at the Charité, to become the new Head of the Department of Experimental Toxicology and ZEBET at the BfR personal data
02.08.2012
22/2012
Exposing the invisible trace of the germs in the black box
22.05.2012
18/2012
Explaining? Communicating? Slamming!
13.03.2012
12/2012
BfR President answers consumer questions on the Internet
25.01.2012
03/2012
Dioxin and EHEC yesterday, antimicrobials today - what next? EHEC - enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, zoonoses
05.12.2011
42/2011
Consumers ask questions - the BfR President to answer queries by video
04.08.2011
28/2011
Matthias Greiner appointed Head of Department at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and Professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
27.07.2011
25/2011
Experience nature and learn playfully in the world's largest scent and aroma pig
23.03.2011
09/2011
Science in the service of humanity online
17.12.2010
19/2010
BfR, DTU and Anses enter into cooperation agreement
25.08.2010
13/2010
At BfR consumer health protection is in good hands
22.04.2010
07/2010
Girls’Day - BfR is on board again this year
30.11.2009
32/2009
How safe is safe?
24.08.2009
21/2009
Science for the protection of consumers
17.06.2009
13/2009
Family Affairs Minister von der Leyen designates BfR a family-friendly employer
26.05.2009
10/2009
BfR and Afssa sign cooperation agreement
11.05.2009
08/2009
BfR and aid infodienst agree cooperation
15.04.2009
04/2009
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment designated a family-friendly employer
12.01.2009
01/2009
From aflatoxins to zearalenone - Science makes food safe mycotoxins
18.11.2008
23/2008
Risk assessment and risk communication: Good rating for BfR
07.12.2006
31/2006
National Reference Laboratories: An important scientific tool in consumer health protection
14.06.2006
16/2006
Positive stocktaking after three years' work on behalf of consumer health protection
26.05.2006
13/2006
Science Council confirms the good to very good performance of BfR but also calls for further efforts
18.04.2006
11/2006
Consumer protection reinforced: BfR extends its research competence
21.10.2005
33/2005
Stiftung Warentest and BfR sign cooperation agreement

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External Links

 (1)
Link
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)

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Position paper

 (1)
Date Title Size
30.11.2012
Strategy Paper of the BfR
10 years of scientific assessment of health risks from food, chemicals and consumer products at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) 44.7 KB
PDF-File

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