In a long-term research strategy, the German higher federal authorities responsible for human and environmental safety – the German Environment Agency (UBA), the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) and the National Metrology Institute (PTB) – are accompanying the rapid pace of development of new materials from the points of view of occupational safety and health, consumer protection and environmental protection. The research strategy builds on the outcomes so far of the joint research strategy of the higher federal authorities launched in 2008 and first evaluated in 2013, while additionally covering other advanced materials where these pose similar risks to humans and the environment or where such risks need to be studied.