European Commission urgently demands science-based Definition of Nanomaterials

Released on Thursday 4th March 2010

The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) has receivedan urgent request for a Scientific Opinion via Accelerated Procedure: Scientific basis for the definition of the term “nanomaterial”.[1]

The request document clarifies that ‘the services of the European Commission urgently need to elaborate a working definition of the term “nanomaterials” to ensure the consistency of forthcoming regulatory developments to guide, as appropriate, the effective implementation of existing regulation, and to contribute to international work and dialogue on nanotechnology definitions.’

‘In order to prepare a science-based definition of nanomaterials, the services of the European Commission need clarification on the size ranges and other relevant characteristics and corresponding metrics reported in the scientific literature, the types of physical and chemical properties particular to nanomaterials, the relevant thresholds, as well as the most appropriate metrics to express such thresholds.’

‘The development of the policy and regulatory activities on nanotechnologies requires the establishment of a working definition of nanomaterials as a matter of urgency. Therefore, SCENIHR is requested to provide a scientific opinion on the issues mentioned below in accordance with the accelerated procedure referred to in Article 9.13 of the Rules of Procedure, in co-operation with other Scientific Committees of the European Community and, as appropriate, with external experts.’

Before the deadline of May 2010, the Committee is invited to ‘provide advice on the essential elements of a science-based working definition of “nanomaterials” and, specifically, to identify the most appropriate metrics to define materials at nanoscale, taking into account ‘Based on current knowledge, the Committee is invited to provide advice on the essential elements of a science-based working definition of “nanomaterials” and, specifically, to identify the most appropriate metrics to define materials at nanoscale, taking into account:

  • (i) Reported size ranges and other relevant characteristics and corresponding metrics: The size ranges and other relevant characteristics (e.g., specific surface area, shape, density, spatial arrangements, aggregation, agglomeration, etc.) and corresponding metrics of materials reported as “nanomaterials” in the scientific literature;
  • (ii) Characteristics: A first indication of possible characteristics and associated mechanisms that alone or in various combinations may lead to different properties;
  • (iii) Physico-chemical properties: The physical and chemical properties that materials may show as a result of being at nanoscale or having a nanoscale structure;
  • (iv) Threshold(s): The threshold(s) at which properties identified in (iii) above may be expected to occur (the threshold(s) may be “below” or “above” depending on the relevant characteristic(s) and associated metric(s)).’

Follow these links to find out more about SCENIHR’s activities in nanotechnology, to download the new Rules of Procedure of the Scientific Committees, or to download the urgent mandate on a definition of nanomaterials.

 
Related Links:
The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) has adopted an opinion entitled ‘Assessment of the Antibiotic Resistance Effects of Biocides’. (27th January 2009)
 
The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has published a Memorandum on ‘Alternative Test Methods in Human Health Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients in the European Union’; the memorandum aims at summarizing the actual status of officially validated3R-alternatives for human health safety assessment. (25th January 2010)
 
The European Commission Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks has received a ‘Request for an opinion on possible improvements in risk assessment approaches in view of risk management needs and effective risk communication’. (7th January 2010)
 
Meeting Reports (by the NIA Delegate):
20th November 2009: Risk Assessment Day - Stakeholder Dialogue Session - (Brussels, 20th November 2009)
 
The EC’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) has published its opinion on the most recent developments in the risk assessment of nanomaterials. (18th February 2009)
[1] The process of ‘Rapid advice and accelerated procedure’ is described in the Commission’s new Rules of procedure of the Scientific Committees - updated version (published on the 2nd March 2010): ‘In urgent cases, the Commission may request the Scientific Committees to provide rapid advice on the state of scientific knowledge concerning specific risks. The rapid advice is intended to support the Commission with scientific information in case of crisis, sudden events or developments or urgent need to react to public concerns or requests from other institutions. This procedure is not intended to produce full risk assessment reports. Normally it will apply in cases where the advice is needed within a timeframe of a few days.’

 

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