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Australian Trade Unions call for regulation of nanomaterials at the workplace

Published: Tuesday 14 April 2009

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has published a Fact Sheet entitled ‘Nanotechnology – why Unions are concerned’.

According to the launch announcement of Fact Sheet on the ACTU website, ACTU is recommending the implementation of regulation in 2009: ACTU Assistant Secretary Geoff Fary said that ‘introducing regulations by the end of 2009 was a sufficient timeframe given the pace of industry development and would coincide with the introduction of Australia’s new nationally harmonised health and safety laws that are scheduled in under a year.’

The Fact Sheet concludes with the following recommendations:

  • Nanoscale chemicals must be classified as new chemicals under the National Industrial Chemicals and Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
  • Government agencies should develop new standards for the handling of nanotechnology
  • A mandatory requirement that all commercial products containing nanomaterials be labeled
  • That a federal registry be established of all companies and organizations manufacturing, importing and supplying products containing nanomaterials.
  • A tripartite body to be established to oversee the implementation of this regulatory framework
  • Adoption of the “Precautionary Principle” when dealing with nanomaterials
  • Development and improvement of hazard identification, assessment and control mechanisms for nanomaterials
  • Enforcement of new exposure standards using an active inspectorate
  • Monitoring of the health impacts on Australian workers involved in nanotechnology and investment in related medical research.'

Follow these links to read the press release of the ACTU Fact Sheet, or to download the Fact Sheet.

 
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