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Can Nanomaterials be REACHed?

Published: Tuesday 15 December 2009

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment has published a  Report entitled Nanomaterials under REACH – Nanosilver as a case study; according to the report’s preface, it describes ‘a hypothetical registration of nanosilver under the new EU REACH regulation on chemicals, taking into account the ongoing discussions within the REACH Competent Authorities and its Subgroup on Nanomaterials on how REACH applies to nanomaterials [...]. The case study on nanosilver is purely a scientific exercise, with the aim to generate recommendations for future policy guidance on how to deal with first generation nanomaterials under REACH.’

The aim of the report is two-fold:
  • First, to investigate the suitability of REACH in ensuring the safety of nanomaterials by conducting a hypothetical registration under REACH of metallic silver, a substance that exists both in nanoform and in non-nanoform (i.e. bulk form). [...]
  • Second, to propose a risk assessment framework for first generation nanomaterials under REACH, based on the information generated in the case study.

The RIVM study finds that ‘some adjustments are needed in the European chemicals legislation REACH to assess and control the risks of nanomaterials. The information on substances to be provided under REACH is not sufficient to determine the specific properties of nanomaterials, nor to assess how these properties affect their behaviour and effects in humans and the environment.’

RIVM therefore proposes an ‘adapted set of minimum information requirements, to be applied to all nanomaterials to be registered under REACH, independent of their volume of production and import. [...] [A] risk assessment framework is proposed for first generation nanomaterials under REACH. In this proposal the basic requirements of the current REACH legislation still apply, with some nano-specific adaptations. [...] Another recommendation is to request for all nanomaterials to be registered a technical dossier plus, independent of tonnage, a chemical safety assessment documented in a chemical safety report.’

Follow these links to find out more about the RIVM study, or to download the full report.

 
Related Links:
On the 1st December 2009, the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA) started a new project that aims to review and collate exposure information on nanomaterials under REACH. (16th December 2009)
 
The US Silver Nanotechnology Working Group (SNWG), has issues a press release on its contribution to the recent EPA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) Meeting on the topic ‘Evaluation of Hazard and Exposure Associated with Nanosilver and Other Nanometal Oxide Pesticide Products’ (held in Arlington VA, on the 3rd to the 63th November 2009). (11th December 2009)
 
Meeting Reports (by the NIA Delegate):
3rd - 4th November 2009: 3rd Safety for Success Dialogue: Building Trust in Nanotechnology (Renaissance Hotel, 19 Rue du Parnasse, 1050 Brussels)
 
Meeting Reports (by the NIA Delegate):
9th October 2009: Stakeholder Conference: Nanomaterials on the Market - What Regulators Need to Know
(Brussels, 9th October 2009)
 
The journal Environmental Science and Technology has published a paper entitled ‘The Behavior of Silver Nanotextiles during Washing’ (Environ. Sci. Technol., DOI: 10.1021/es9018332), reports the results of an experimental study that investigated 9 commercially available fabrics (with silver contents varying between 0.003 and 21.6 mg/g), into or onto which silver had been incorporated in different ways. (9th October 2009)