Impact assessment of a european nano-register
A recently published study of the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) assesses the potential impacts which the introduction of a mandatory European nano-register would entail. The study is based on UBA’s “Concept for a European Register of Products Containing Nanomaterials” (ENPR-concept).
In the scope of the study, Carbon Black, Synthetic Amorphous Silica, Aluminium Oxide, Barium Titanate, Titanium Dioxide, Cerium Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Carbon Nanotubes, Nanosilver and Fullerenes were considered. Sectors or categories included were: Substances, Cosmetics, Health Care, Food & Feed, Coatings & Inks, Cleaning & Disinfection, Rubber Products, Building & Construction, Textiles, Paper Products and Complex Objects & Other Products. Naturally occurring and incidental nanomaterials as well as polymers were not considered.
Impact of an ENPR
According to the study, about 38000 to 58000 companies might be affected by an ENPR, particularly so in the sectors coatings & inks, rubber products, paper products, cosmetics and health care. The implementation of the ENPR could lead to as many as 4.1 million notifications, mostly in the sector of coatings & inks (roughly 60%) and paper products (25% approx.). Companies in the coatings & inks sector may have to submit up to 610 notifications per company. Consequently, they also would have to face the highest costs. The total costs of the ENPR heavily depend on whether information gained in other legislative frameworks (e.g. REACH, novel food regulation etc.) is used or not.
Advantages
Introducing an ENPR would also entail several benefits for companies, authorities and consumers, such as increased transparency, knowledge on the main areas of application and on approximate volumes of nanomaterials, improvement of the enforcement of environmental, consumer and workers’ health legislation, support for possible risk management measures and cessation of the market distortion that goes along with differing national NPRs.
Reference: Umweltbundesamt (UBA) 2014. Assessment of Impacts of a European Register of Products Containing Nanomaterials. Texte 23/2014.
Image source: © 2014 The Innovation Society, Ltd.
For further information, please contact:
info@innovationsgesellschaft.ch