The Knowledge Foundations Division supports the FSVO in achieving its goals by promoting the availability and use of data, skills, processes and knowledge. By doing so, it lays the foundations for decisions. It assesses health risks facing humans and animals and ensures that the current body of knowledge on all subjects covered by the FSVO is recorded and supplemented by external expert opinions where necessary. As a result, risks can be identified and scientifically classified at an early stage.
The Division comprises four sectors:
Toxicology of Plant Protection Products sector
Risk Assessment sector
Education and Research sector
Data Competence Centre sector
The sector assesses the health risks of plant protection products to non-professional users, people living nearby and people in the vicinity as part of the authorisation process for such products. It categorises plant protection products, stipulates their labelling and assesses the health risks presented by residues in or on food. In doing so, it makes use of its international network and formulates research questions.
The sector identifies and assesses health risks presented by organisms, substances and processes in foodstuffs and utility articles. As part of this task, it engages in dialogue with its national and international partner organisations and formulates research questions. The sector ensures that potential risks are recognised at an early stage.
The sector develops and organises the initial and continuing training of enforcement agencies in the Swiss Veterinary Service and in official food inspection services. It coordinates implementation-driven policy research in accordance with the current needs of the Divisions and their stakeholder groups.
The sector ensures that data is used efficiently to help the FSVO and the Cantonal enforcement agencies fulfil their duties. It promotes high-quality data in food chain information systems. The sector produces easily comprehensible and informative evaluations and statistics.
Last modification 10.12.2024
