Brussels, 18/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - Nanomaterial - a name that gives rise to fears as great as it is small. These tiny elements are present in many common consumer products such as toothpaste, food packaging, clothing, paints, batteries, to mention but a few. In a recommendation adopted on Tuesday 18 October, the European Commission defines a nanomaterial as: “a natural, incidental or manufactured material containing particles, in an unbound state or as an aggregate or as an agglomerate and where, for 50% or more of the particles in the number size distribution, one or more external dimensions is in the size range 1 nm - 100 nm” (between 1 and 100 billionth of a metre).
By giving a common definition applicable to all legislative acts regulating or mentioning such substances developed by innovating technologies, and for which there is still uncertainty regarding the risks for human health and the environment, the Commission plans to work towards consistency in EU technical documents and legislation, and prevent different interpretations of the definitions so far developed on a case by case basis and varying depending on the sector. It also fulfils a promise made to the European Parliament in 2009.
“We have come up with a solid definition based on scientific input and a broad consultation. Industry needs a clear coherent regulatory framework in this important economic sector, and consumers deserve accurate information about these substances”, states Janez Potocnik, European Environment Commissioner.
The draft definition adopted by the Commission is based on an approach considering the size of the constituent particles of a material, rather than hazard or risk. It is based on scientific advice from the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). In its final opinion on nanomaterials published in 2010, SCENIHR had underlined that nanomaterial is a category of material based on the size of its constituents, which does not involve any specific risk and does not necessarily mean that the material, compared to its constituents, really presents new and dangerous properties.
The compulsory registration of chemical substances under the REACH regulation (registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemical products) has shown that companies need clearer information about their obligations when it comes to nanomaterials. The Commission trusts that, with a common definition, companies will be able to more easily assess their registration dossiers and determine exactly when they should consider their products as nanomaterials. (AN/transl.jl)