Difference between revisions of "Germany:Germany"

The remit of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) encompasses scientifically based risk assessments as part of administrative procedures (for instance, marketing authorisations for plant protection products), the compilation of expert reports on issues of food 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 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 BMEL and other ministries as well as to regional and local public authorities.

Fourteen 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 including Verotoxin-producing E. coli, Campylobacter, Trichinella, Antibiotic Resistance, Animal Proteins in Feed, Additives for Use in Animal Nutrition, Food Contact Materials, Mycotoxins and Plant Toxins in Feed and Food as well as for Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Feed and Food, respectively. In addition to these NRLs based on EU law, other 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 accordance with the wine monitoring regulation, zoonosis reporting, and the consultant laboratories for Leptospira, Yersinia as well as Vibrios.