The remit of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) encompasses scientifically based risk assessments as part of administrative procedures (for instance, authorisations for plant protection products), the compilation of expert reports on issues of food and feed safety and consumer protection based on internationally recognised scientific assessment criteria, and policy advice. In its capacity as a scientific body, the BfR prepares expert reports on risk assessment. The BfR collaborates at the national and international level with other scientific organisations which are active in consumer health protection and food and feed safety. Furthermore, the BfR is tasked with identifying new health risks and drawing up risk minimisation recommendations. It has a legal mandate to conduct research in fields regarding its work on consumer health protection and food and feed safety as well. The BfR is independent regarding its scientific assessment, research and communication. Research findings are used to provide information and scientific advice to the BMLEH and other ministries as well as to regional and local public authorities.

The BfR’s remit also includes documentation on poisoning incidents, the evaluation of methods to replace or supplement animal testing, and the assessment of developmental trends of zoonotic pathogens (including antibiotic resistance). Other main areas of its work are research and transparent communication of risks to the public at large, scientific circles and other stakeholders. A list of its responsibilities can be found in the German Act on the Reorganisation of Consumer Health Protection and Food Safety.

In addition, the BfR is also responsible for risk assessments and risk communication in the area of safety of consumer products, cosmetics, biocides and chemicals (REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals). Furthermore, the BfR collects and evaluates notifications of intoxication caused by chemicals. It carries out risk assessments on plant protection products and biocidal products in relation to toxicology and residues. Also methods for residues analysis are evaluated for control purposes.

15 National Reference Laboratories (NRLs), active in the fields of food and feed safety as well as food hygiene, are attached to the BfR pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/625. They are NRLs for Salmonella, Monitoring of Marine Biotoxins, Foodborne Viruses, Listeria monocytogenes, Coagulase-positive Staphylococci including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Trichinella, Antimicrobial Resistance, Animal Proteins in Feed, Additives for Use in Animal Nutrition, Materials in Contact with Food, Food Additives and Aromas, Mycotoxins and Plant Toxins as well as Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Feed and Food, respectively. In addition to the NRLs based on EU law, other specialised laboratories and laboratories with a reference function are also attached to the BfR. These include the reference laboratory in the network of genetically modified organisms (GMO), the top appraisal body for the import control of wine in line with the wine monitoring regulation, zoonosis reporting, the consultant laboratories for Leptospira, Vibrios and Yersinia and the Specialised laboratory for spore formers.

An essential part of socio-scientific risk research at the BfR is the development of effective risk communication strategies. Here, the outcomes of scientific risk characterisations are merged with the information needs of relevant target groups from science, economics, politics, public institutions, (consumer) associations, the media, NGOs and consumers. Comparison of individual risk perceptions with results coming from scientific risk assessments and descriptions of scientific uncertainty are prerequisites for conducting subsequent participatory risk communication measures.