The work of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) focusses on farm animal health and welfare and on the protection of humans from zoonoses, i.e. infections which can be transmitted from animals to humans. These tasks are defined in Section 27 of the Animal Health Act. FLI conducts basic and applied research in different scientific fields.

As a federal research institute and independent higher federal authority under BMLEH, FLI provides advice for political decision-making based on its scientific expertise. The institute performs epidemiological investigations during outbreaks of animal diseases and prepares risk assessments on various infectious diseases of farm animals.

FLI acts as the National Reference Laboratory for designated animal diseases and is the national licensing authority for veterinary in vitro diagnostics. Internationally, FLI has been designated as the ‘Collaborating Centre for Zoonoses in Europe’ of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and hosts eleven WOAH reference laboratories as well as a WHO and FAO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research and FAO Reference Centres for Classical Swine Fever and for Emerging Zoonotic Pathogens and High Biosecurity/Biocontainment Facilities, WOAH and FAO Reference Laboratories for Animal Influenza and Newcastle Disease. 

Furthermore, FLI is a member of the EU Reference Centre for Animal Welfare. As the national contact point, FLI scientifically supports the competent authorities in the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, Article 20, regarding the protection of animals at the time of killing.

FLI is according to Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition involved in the review of feed additive approvals.