Nikolaus Kriz takes helm at EFSA with focus on digital tools and open science

Nikolaus Kriz has officially stepped into his role as Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), following his appointment by the agency’s Management Board.

An Austrian veterinary surgeon with more than 30 years of international experience, Kriz has spent much of his career at the intersection of science, public health and European cooperation. Before joining EFSA, he held senior positions at the European Medicines Agency. Over the past eight years he has worked within EFSA, first as Head of Unit for Animal Health and Welfare and Plant Health, and more recently as Head of the Risk Assessment Services (ENABLE) Department.

In remarks on his first day in office, Kriz outlined a vision that combines scientific rigor with new technological approaches. “My top priorities are to deliver high-quality scientific advice more quickly; to harness digital technologies and artificial intelligence for more streamlined risk assessments and enhanced data processing capabilities; and to strengthen the important partnerships we have with EU institutions, Member States, sister agencies, academia and civil society,” he said.

Kriz emphasized that EFSA’s people remain at the core of its effectiveness. “EFSA’s greatest strength is its people. I will invest in a culture that listens, empowers, and creates the conditions for excellence. A healthy, inclusive workplace is an essential asset,” he said.

The comment reflects a broader emphasis on organizational culture that Kriz has highlighted in recent months, suggesting that staff well-being and inclusiveness will be a central pillar of his leadership.

Since its founding in 2002, EFSA has developed into a reference point for independent food safety science. Its assessments underpin EU policymaking across food and feed safety, nutrition, animal health, plant health, and the environment.

Kriz has said that maintaining trust and transparency will be crucial as EFSA adapts to new challenges. In recent comments to the European Parliament, he described his vision of EFSA as “a house of open science: evidence-based, accessible, and trustworthy. Together, we will ensure Europe’s food safety system continues to be a global benchmark.”

That focus on openness reflects EFSA’s increasing role in engaging with a wider set of stakeholders, from policymakers and scientists to consumer groups and civil society.

Kriz’s appointment comes at a time when EFSA is facing growing expectations to deliver scientific advice that is not only robust but also timely. Emerging issues such as climate change, shifting diets, novel foods and new production technologies require assessments that keep pace with innovation.

By prioritizing the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, Kriz signaled that he intends to modernize EFSA’s processes. Faster and more efficient risk assessments could strengthen the Authority’s role in supporting EU policy decisions, while also improving transparency for citizens.

Equally, the new Executive Director has pointed to partnerships as a cornerstone of his agenda. Closer collaboration with EU institutions, Member States, and sister agencies such as the European Medicines Agency is expected to play a role in aligning regulatory science across sectors. Engagement with academia and civil society will also be part of what Kriz has called a more open, participatory approach.

While Kriz brings fresh priorities, his long tenure inside EFSA means he is also a figure of continuity. Having led both technical units and cross-cutting services, he is familiar with the Authority’s internal dynamics and the practical challenges of balancing scientific rigor with policy relevance.

The Management Board has expressed confidence that his experience positions him to guide EFSA through its next phase. As Executive Director, he succeeds Bernhard Url, who completed his mandate earlier this year after more than a decade in leadership roles at the Authority.

Kriz’s comments suggest that he sees EFSA’s future not just in maintaining scientific independence, but in making that science more accessible and responsive. By aligning organizational culture with technological innovation and external partnerships, he is setting a direction aimed at reinforcing EFSA’s reputation as a trusted voice in European and global food safety.

As he put it in his inaugural address: “I see EFSA as a house of open science: evidence-based, accessible, and trustworthy.”