BfR | Annual Report 2013
12
Research
The BfR focuses on application-related, targeted re-
search with the help of which the institute can conduct
scientific examinations and assessments in line with its
legal mandate. The BfR is independent in the concep-
tion and conducting of all its research activities, thus se-
curing and promoting the scientific expertise for interna-
tionally recognised competence in risk assessment and
communication which is independent of economic in-
terests. The preparation of new data, methods and pro-
cedures helps to close knowledge gaps in the field of
food, chemical and consumer product safety, as well as
risk communication and risk perception. The results of
all research activities flow directly into the risk assess-
ments and opinions of the BfR and underpin the adviso-
ry services provided to the three supervisory ministries,
the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Federal
Ministry for the Environment, Building, Nature Conserva-
tion and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Ministry of Trans-
port and Digital Infrastructure.
The BfR defines its main areas of research every two
years in form of a research programme. In order to imple-
ment this programme, the BfR not only funds its own re-
search but also acquires public third-party funding. The
most important instrument for internal research promo-
tion are the special research projects that are subject to
an annual application and review procedure. Every year,
around 60 projects are supported with funding for con-
sumables and in some cases staffing. In addition, the BfR
also has funds at its disposal that it can award to third
parties. In this way, the BfR regularly invites grants for
research projects geared towards the development and
validation of alternative methods to animal experiments
as well as projects in the area of risk research and risk
communication. The externally funded national and inter-
national projects are to be seen as supplementary to the
BfR's in-house research activities. In 2013, the BfR ac-
quired funding for new projects focusing on issues such
as the safety of nanomaterials as well as in the fields of
antimicrobial resistance, innovative toxicology and the
safety of global supply chains. The BfR has continuous-
ly increased the funding for research activities in recent
years, underlining the particular importance of research
for the work of the institute.
First status report on the nanotechnology
research strategy
In order to deal with open questions regarding nano-
materials and to weigh up the risks and opportunities
involved, the BfR, the Federal Institute for Occupa-
tional Safety and Health and the Federal Environment
Agency developed a joint research strategy in 2007.
In 2013, the three institutions collaborated with the
Federal Physical-Technical Institute and the Federal
Institute for Materials Research and Testing to submit
an initial assessment detailing the status and main
findings of over 80 research projects on the subject
of nanomaterials. Areas where progress has been
made include the development of characterisation
and test procedures, the monitoring of the burden
affecting humans and the environment, and risk as-
sessment. Furthermore, the assessment also lists
several focus areas and issues for the future direction
of German safety research in the field of nanotech-
nology.
The BfR has the statutory task of undertaking scientific
research that is closely linked to its activities.
Alongside its mandate to assess and communicate
health risks for consumers, the BfR also conducts
experimental and non-experimental research:
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within the framework of reference laboratory
activities with the aim of developing and estab-
lishing new detection methods
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on risk assessment within the framework of the
biological and chemical safety of food and feed,
chemicals and consumer products
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on risk communication and risk perception
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on supplementary and alternative methods to
animal experiments
