The National Centre for Laboratory Research and Risk Assessment (LABRIS) operates under the authority of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture (REM). LABRIS fulfils the functions of an official control laboratory and a national reference laboratory in the fields of animal health, as well as food and feed safety. In addition, LABRIS serves as an authorized laboratory service provider in Estonia in a wide range of fields, including the diagnosis of dangerous animal diseases, detection of pathogens in food and feed, pathogen characterization, food labelling studies, and the analysis of drug residues, pesticides, and alcohol safety and quality.

The responsibilities of LABRIS also include conducting risk assessments and ensuring risk communication in matters related to food safety and animal health, as well as providing scientific advice to REM and the Estonian Agriculture and Food Board (PTA). International cooperation and participation in joint research projects with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), universities, other laboratories, and professional organizations constitute an important part of the institution’s activities.