At the heart of the BfR’s work lies the health risk assessment of food and feed, chemicals and products, which forms the basis for the Federal Government’s consumer health protection. In addition, the BfR conducts research into topics closely related to its assessment tasks. The Institute advises the relevant federal ministries and, in some cases, other senior federal authorities. To this end, it produces, amongst other things, scientific opinions and opinions. The BfR is also involved in a number of notification and authorisation procedures.
The BfR’s work in the field of consumer health protection is characterised by its scientific, research-driven approach. The authorities responsible for risk management have access to the Institute’s health risk assessments and proposed courses of action. The BfR’s findings and recommendations serve as an important source of information and decision-making aid for all interested parties. Through its science-based risk assessment, the BfR provides impetus for consumer health protection both within and outside Germany.
The BfR’s other statutory tasks include risk communication and, consequently, informing the public about potential health risks, new findings and research results. The BfR’s risk communication forms the basis for a continuous process and dialogue characterised by transparency, reliability and the greatest possible openness.
Also part of the BfR is the German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R). It develops and refines methods in line with the "3R" principle. The "3R" principle stands for reducing, refining and replacing animal experiments. Furthermore, the Bf3R stimulates research activities worldwide and promotes scientific dialogue. In addition, the centre publishes the annual statistics on laboratory animals in Germany.
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). It protects people's health preventively in the fields of public health and veterinary public health. The BfR provides advice to the Federal Government as well as the Federal States (‘Laender’) on questions related to food, feed, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics closely related to its assessment tasks.