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International Chemicals Safety Forum opens Consultation on Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials

Published: Saturday 31 January 2009

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) has published two documents for consultation by 20th February 2009:

  1. Emerging policy issues - Draft information document on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials
  2. Draft document setting out possible cooperative actions on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials [Resolution on co-operative actions on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials]

The consultation website explains:

‘The issue “nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials” was nominated by the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS). “Manufactured nanomaterials” was nominated by the InterOrganization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), and the issue “sound management of specific substances - nanomaterials” was nominated by Japan.  In its submission IFCS referred to the new challenges, especially in health and safety, posed by rapidly emerging nanotechnological approaches and the need to understand, avoid, reduce and manage risks. IOMC referred to the challenges posed for assessing the safety of nanomaterials, the need to review the methods used for testing and assessing safety and the cooperative international work being undertaken in this regard.  Japan referred to the wide use of nanomaterials and the lack of full assessment of health and environmental hazards.’

The NIA will submit comment as part of BIAC (Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD), registered NIA Member, who are interested in joining the comment drafting group should e-mail steffi.friedrichs@nanotechia.org no later than 17th February 2009.