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BfR
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Annual Report 2015
108
Do nanoparticles promote the development of allergies?
Does apple juice contain harmful aluminium? The Fed-
eral Institute for Risk Assessment – in short BfR – is re-
sponsible for questions to do with the health assessment
of food and feed, consumer products and chemicals.
Through its work, it makes an important contribution to
rendering food, products and the use of chemicals safer
in Germany.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment was estab-
lished in November 2002 to strengthen consumer health
protection. It is the scientific body of the Federal Repub-
lic of Germany that prepares expert reports and opinions
on questions of food and feed safety as well as on the
safety of substances and products. In doing so, the in-
stitute assumes an important task in improving consumer
protection and food safety. The activities of the BfR are
conducted under the responsibility of the Federal Minis-
try of Food and Agriculture. At the three BfR locations in
Berlin, a staff of about 800, including around 300 scien-
tists, work in the field of consumer health protection. The
institute is independent with regard to both its scientific
assessments and its research activities.
Short portrait of the BfR
In our globalised world, it is important for the institu-
tions involved in consumer health protection to be part
of international networks. The BfR is the national Focal
Point of the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and
a partner of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
It cooperates with numerous national and international,
governmental and non-governmental agencies.
The BfR sees itself as the advocate of consumer health
protection in a context in which many stakeholders make
their voices heard. On the scientific basis of its risk as-
sessments, it seeks to strengthen consumer health pro-
tection. To this end, the institute participates in national
and international panels, advises policymakers and pro-
vides information to the public at large. Staging events
and organising projects are just two of the ways in which
the BfR passes on information on potential risks. Due
to the high standard of its work, its scientific independ-
ence and its transparent assessments, the institute has
become a recognised actor and important driver of
consumer health protection on both national and inter-
national level – and consumers know they can trust its
judgements.