Written by Nanogenotox WP2 | 02 August 2010

"Identify risks - Protect health" - this is the guiding principle for the work of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment ( BfR) in the field of consumer health protection. The Institute was set up in November 2002 to strengthen consumer health protection. It is the scientific agency of the Federal Republic of Germany which is responsible for preparing expert reports and opinions on food and feed safety as well as on the safety of substances and products. In this context, the Institute plays an important role in improving consumer protection and food safety.

BfR reports to the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). It enjoys independence in respect of its scientific assessments and research.

BfR involvement in the nanotoxicology field:

Nanomaterials in Consumer Products (Department 7)

People: PD Dr. Dr. Andreas Luch: Head of department of consumer product safety

PD Dr. Mario E. Götz: Head of Division Molecular Toxicology

Dr. Dagmar Fieblinger: Head of Experimental Genotoxicity Unit

Organisation Chart: Departments involved in "Nano- Activities"

General Activities & Tasks of BfR (as so for "Nano")

Risk Assessment: expert reports, opinions according to internationally recognized scientific criteria.

National & International Bodies: committees & panels, working groups

Research Activities & Cooperations: primarily to strengthen risk assessment processes.

Risk Communication: informing the public in a transparent, comprehensive way

Participation in National & International Bodies, Committees for Nanotechnology

National Level: Dialog of public authorities: Joint activity of several public Authorities & Federal Institutes evaluating nano-related issues

Nano-Commission & Nano-Dialog (BMU): Stakeholder dialog on further development of nanotechnology, establishing regulatory frames & risk assessment; participators from science & research, industry, administration and NGOs

Senate Commission on Food Safety & DFG working group "nanotoxicology" (BMELV): Expert opinions on synthetic nanomaterials in food and feed and food contact materials

International Level: Special expertise in risk assessment and analytics of cosmetics and food contact materials

EFSA: BfR is active in scientific committee/working group on nanotechnology

ECHA: Nanomaterials in REACH process

OECD WPMN (2009-2012): BfR participates in SG3 (hazard assessment), SG8 (exposure assessment approaches) and co-chairs SG6 (development of risk assessment approaches), and SG7 (integrated testing strategy applying in vitro methods)

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 September 2010 10:04