The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) is a limited liability company (GmbH) owned by the BMASGPK and BMLUK. 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 BMLUK and by local authorities as the foundation for their management measures.

AGES’ remit includes food and feed safety, novel foods, food supplements, GMOs, zoonoses, drinking water and mineral water, residues e.g. 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.