31/01/2012

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has played a key role in European Union (EU) risk assessment regarding food and feed safety since 2002. EFSA is striving towards excellence and is recognised as the European reference body for risk assessment on food and feed, nutrition, animal and plant health.

During its 10th anniversary year, EFSA will be highlighting how its scientific work has contributed to the protection of European consumers and will also be looking to shape the future. The world has changed since EFSA was set up. In the second decade of the 21st century new trends and emerging issues are affecting both the nature and volume of the Authority’s work.

EFSA has strengthened its ties with its partners and stakeholders in the EU and beyond and, with its newly adopted science strategy and comprehensive policy to ensure the independence of its scientific decision-making processes, will continue to enhance its support to the EU food safety chain and build confidence in EU risk assessment.

Over the past 10 years, EFSA has underpinned EU policy measures through its extensive scientific work – grounded in up-to-date knowledge and data – in food and feed safety, nutrition, animal health and welfare, plant protection and plant health. As a result, European consumers enjoy a high level of protection and are increasingly well informed as regards risks in the food and feed chain.

EFSA has re-structured internally both in support of its Science Strategy for 2012-2016 and to evolve with the risk assessment landscape that it has helped to define. These reforms will allow the Authority to be as flexible and reactive as possible to risk management needs while continuing to protect European consumers. EFSA will continue to shape the future of risk assessment through experience, flexibility and commitment, in particular to its core values of openness and transparency, scientific excellence, independence and responsiveness.

As an open and listening organisation and building on its experience, EFSA will continue to strengthen the rigorous procedures in place to ensure the independence of its scientific decision-making processes, thereby building trust in the quality of its science.

Anniversary year information and events

To mark the anniversary year, EFSA has published a dedicated section on its website providing concrete examples of the Authority’s work in the past 10 years and information on upcoming events. The section will be updated throughout the year. In addition, EFSA’s anniversary year can be followed on Twitter @EFSA_EU. EFSA in collaboration with the European Commission, as well as with partners in Member States, will also be organising joint events in 2012 marking the 10th anniversary of the creation of both EFSA and the general EU Food law.

10th Anniversary

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