European Union
June 25, 2025
The European Food Safety Authority’s Management Board has nominated Dr. Nikolaus Kriz as EFSA’s next Executive Director for a five-year term from September 2025.
“I am very pleased to announce that today the Board voted to nominate Dr. Nikolaus Kriz as EFSA's next Executive Director” said Aivars Bērziņš, Chair of EFSA’s Management Board.
“With his significant leadership experience in regulatory settings and deep scientific expertise, we are confident he will further strengthen EFSA’s role as the EU reference point for independent food safety risk assessment .
“On behalf of the Board, I also take the opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Bernhard Url for his outstanding leadership as EFSA’s Executive Director over the past eleven years”, concluded Aivars Bērziņš.
Nikolaus Kriz joined EFSA in 2017 and is currently Head of the Authority’s Risk Assessment Services (ENABLE) Department. A veterinary surgeon by training, he held various roles at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in veterinary and public health risk assessment prior to joining EFSA.
After the vote of the Management Board was announced, Dr. Nikolaus Kriz commented: “I am honoured and grateful to be nominated to lead EFSA. Together with its exceptional staff and experts, I look forward to guiding the organisation as we continue our vital mission to protect the health of EU citizens, animals, plants and the environment”.
The final part of the selection procedure will see Dr. Kriz deliver a statement before the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) and answer questions from its Members. The session is expected to take place on 14 July.
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