Consistent EU rules for nanomaterials
In the future, consistent rules will apply to nanomaterials in the EU. The REACH regulatory committee adapted the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH).
The German Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze stated: "We are finally getting clear rules for nanomaterials in the EU, so that potential risks can be better assessed and minimized, which makes an important contribution to environmental and consumer protection.
"In the future, manufacturers, importers and downstream users will have to deliver detailed data on nanomaterials and their nanoforms in the course of the registration process of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The amended regulation will enter into force in January 2020. With this systematic data collection, a risk assessment of the nanoscale substances registered under REACH can be carried out.
Engineered nanomaterials may have additional properties that distinguish them from common synthetic materials. An adaptation of the annexes of the REACH chemicals regulation was necessary in order to obtain relevant data for the proper assessment of the safety of nanomaterials for humans and the environment already at the registration of the substances.
A final vote on the amendments to REACH Annexes I and III-XII, which has now been finalized with all Member States, took place recently. Germany had introduced four major points of change, which were accepted by the European Commission. These are the choice of test methods, the obligation to identify a basic dataset for the purpose of characterizing nanomaterials and their nanoforms, and more stringent toxicological and ecotoxicological data requirements for registrants of nanomaterials.
Source: http://www.chemie.de/news/1154822/kuenftig-einheitliche-eu-regeln-fuer-nanomaterialien.html / Innovation Society, St. Gallen