EU increases nanotechnology controls for consumer products

Published: 26-Jul-2012

Guidance issued over safety


A special European Union (EU) consultative system is being established to ensure industry, science and regulators come together in the development of rules aimed at ensuring the safe use of nanotechnology in consumer products, including cosmetics, sunscreens and soaps.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has met with regulators from the EU’s 27 member states to discuss the issue and all backed establishing an autonomous nanomaterials working group, advising ECHA committees on how EU chemical controls system REACH applies to nanosubstances. It would “provide advice on scientific and technical principles,” said an ECHA note.

Meanwhile, the agency is to publish this summer best practice on analysing nanomaterials, using studies made by companies who have already registered nanotech-based chemicals through the REACH EU chemical control system. ECHA said its priority is to “provide clarity on the physico-chemical characteristics of nanomaterials.”

And the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has issued detailed guidance for laboratories on how they should assess the safety of nanomaterials that are used in cosmetics. It includes advice on test methods, frequency, controls and other issues. For example, it says assessments should determine any changes during tests in physicochemical properties, such as surface characteristics, the agglomeration and aggregation of particles and varying solubility. *http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_s_005.pdf

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