Austria

The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK) prepares draft legislation in the field of food safety based on scientific risk assessments conducted by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). The BMASGPK is responsible for the coordination of state food inspections and can issue national regulations in the area of food safety.

The BMASGPK’s portfolio includes food, novel foods, food supplements, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), zoonoses, mineral water, drinking water, residues of plant protection products and veterinary drugs, medical devices and medicinal products. Furthermore, the BMASGPK is responsible for approving pilot studies with regard to the cultivation of genetically modified plants. It is also responsible for approving the use of GMOs in conjunction with food and feed.

The remit of the BMASGPK extends beyond food safety to include animal health and animal welfare, for example. 

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK) is responsible for agricultural policy and food safety during primary food production. It prepares draft legislation in the field of feed and groundwater based on scientific risk assessments conducted by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). The BMLUK is authorised to issue national regulations with regard to feed and groundwater.

The work of the BMLUK is supported by the Federal Office for Food Safety (BAES). The BMLUK’s area of work extends beyond the field of food safety to include plant health and plant protection. 

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) is a limited liability company (GmbH) owned by the BMASGPK and BMLRT. AGES has a mandate from the Republic of Austria to prepare scientific risk assessments and conduct transparent risk communication with the public at large, scientists and other interested or involved groups. Independent of any scientific, political or social interests AGES prepares scientific risk assessments, identifies new health risks and prepares recommendations for risk reduction. AGES risk assessments are used by the BMASGPK and the BMLRT and by local authorities as the foundation for their management measures.

AGES’ remit includes food and feed safety, novel foods, food supplements, GMOs, zoonoses, mineral water, residues of plant protection products and veterinary medicinal products. AGES is also active in the fields of animal health, plant health, plant protection, soil health, fertilisers, seeds, bee health, radiation protection, medicines and medical devices. AGES is also involved in active research. AGES has scientific analytical laboratory facilities for all of its areas of activity.

There are 60 National Reference Laboratories pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 2017/625 and reference laboratories in the fields of veterinary medicine and human medicine attached to AGES.

The regulatory authority for veterinary drugs is assigned to the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG). The BASG is also an authority within the organisational structure of AGES. The BASG issues and monitors the market authorisation of medicinal products and other medical devices.

The Federal Office for Food Safety (BAES) was established by the Austrian Health and Food Safety Act. It is associated with AGES. AGES provides the BAES with the manpower and the infrastructure needed to execute its sovereign functions as a federal authority. The BAES is responsible for the coordination and implementation of state inspections of animal feed. It is also the regulatory authority for plant protection products. The area of work of the BAES extends beyond the field of animal feed to include plant health.