EXCLUSIVE Consultation: ‘Nano’ in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Released on Friday 18th December 2009

On the 17th November 2009, the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA) held a Scientific Round Table Meeting on ‘nano’ in the upcoming ‘European WEEE and RoHS Directives recast’ (participants included the adviser to the Greens in the European Parliament, Greenpeace, representatives of SMEs and multinational companies); the full NIA Meeting notes are available on the ‘Members only’-area of the NIA website (under 'NIA Tasks & Drafts’ (see menu on the left)).

 
**** NIA Members are invited to participate in a consultation regarding the mention of 'nano' in electrical and electronic equipment; please send your response to steffi.friedrichs@nanotechia.org by COP on Tuesday, 5th January 2010) ****
 
Background
Axel Singhofen, Adviser to the Green in the European Parliament, is currently drafting amendments to the EU Directive on restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment. He agreed to work with this NIA Scientific Round Table for more input on the best coverage on ‘nanotechnology’ / ‘nanomaterials’ in his suggested amendments; deadline for amendments: 24th February 2010.[1]

Summary
The Scientific Round Table started to look at definitions of ‘nanomaterials’; according to Axel Singhofen, the definition of nanotechnology is adequately addressed in the ‘Novel Foods’ regulation draft, which currently reads:[2]

2. The following definitions shall also apply: [...]
(cc) "engineered nanomaterial" means any intentionally produced material that has one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nm or less or is composed of discrete functional parts, either internally or at the surface, many of which have one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nm or less, including structures, agglomerates or aggregates, which may have a size above the order of 100 nm but retain properties that are characteristic to the nanoscale.
Properties that are characteristic to the nanoscale include:
(i) those related to the large specific surface area of the materials considered and/or
(ii) specific physico-chemical properties that are different from those of the non-nanoform of the same material.

NOTE: In this form, the definition of ‘engineered (= manufactured / intentionally made) nanomaterial’ might include thin films and gate oxides in transistors.

NIA Members are invited to contribute evidence and input to the discussion on the most appropriate definition for ‘nanomaterials’ in the context of the ‘European WEEE and RoHS Directives recast’.

Issues to be considered:
  • does the current definition of ‘engineered nanomaterials’ in the ‘Novel Food’ Regulation recast (as above) apply to any materials used within electrical/electronic equipment ; if so:
  • are these materials ‘new’ or ‘nanotechnology-enabled’
  • what would be the consequences to the manufacturer of the electrical/electronic equipment  (i.e. industrial processes, product approval, production costs, B2B trade, etc.)
**** Send your comments to steffi.friedrichs@nanotechia.org by COP on Tuesday, 5th January 2010) ****
 
Next meeting: 6th January 2010; 14:00 – 17:00 (Brussels times) at the NIA offices, Square de Meeûs 38-40, 1000 Brussels.
(If you would like to participate in this meeting, please send an e-mail to steffi.friedrichs@nanotechia.org.)

 
[1] NOTE: the deadline for amendments has recently been moved from the 14th January to the 24th February.
[2] The ‘Novel Foods’ Regulation is awaiting the 2nd Reading.
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