New ISO Nanotechnology Standards Out

In 2005 ISO started to develop standards to support nanotechnologies and now the first concrete result of this work is available in the form of ISO/TS 27687:2008, a new international standard for terms and definitions related to nanotechnology particles. It is intended to facilitate communications between organisations and individuals in industry and those who interact with them.

ISO/TS 27687:2008 is concerned with the terminology and definitions for objects at the nano-scale, which come in several shapes. The three basic shapes referred to in this document are:

• nanoparticle
• nanofibre
• nanoplate.

Nanotechnologies are expected to be a key economic driver for the twenty-first century. They promise significant benefits, including: enhancements in medical diagnosis and treatment; more efficient energy sources; lighter, stronger and cheaper materials; faster and more powerful electronic products; and cleaner, cheaper water. At the same time, attention is being paid to the effects of specific nanomaterials, particularly nanoparticles, on human health and the environment. ISO's work in the field therefore includes the development of standards on these aspects.

Dr Peter Hatto, Chair of ISO technical committee ISO/TC 229, Nanotechnologies, comments: "International standardisation will play a critical role in ensuring that the full potential of nanotechnology is realised and that nanotechnology is safely integrated into society. Standards will help create a smooth transition from the laboratory to the marketplace, promote progress along the nanotechnology value chain and facilitate global trade. ISO/TS 27687:2008 helps to provide clarity in the description and naming of these fundamental building blocks for this important area of technology."

ISO/TS 27687, 'Nanotechnologies – Terminology and definitions for nano-objects – Nanoparticle, nanofibre and nanoplate,' costs 56 Swiss francs and is available from ISO national member institutes and from ISO Central Secretariat through the ISO Store.

Besides this new standard, there are others, including ISO/TR 12885:2008 which describes health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies. ISO/TR 12885:2008 focuses on the occupational manufacture and use of engineered nanomaterials and could help companies, researchers, workers and other people to prevent adverse health and safety consequences during the production, handling, use and disposal of manufactured nanomaterials.

Source: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1161