OECD Publishes Update Document on National and International Activities
During the recurring Tour de Table agenda item at the 4th meeting of the WPMN each delegation was given the opportunity to describe recent or planned national initiatives and/or events related to the safety of nanomaterials. The OECD has published the report summarising national developments in nanomaterials health and safety, also including some activities of international bodies.
On December 10, the OECD Environmental Directorate released a compilation of responses given during the nanotechnology Tour de Table by delegations that attended the 4th Meeting of the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials held at OECD Headquarters in Paris, France on 11-13 June 2008. The 96-page document outlines the latest on-goings in nanotechnology EH&S research around OECD’s member countries.
The Tour de Table agenda item is intended to provide delegations and other stakeholders with a “snapshot” of information on activities related to manufactured nanomaterials, as well as other activities on nanotechnologies, at the national and international level. This is intended to facilitate the implementation of the eight projects of the WPMN by allowing delegations to share their experiences and preoccupations with respect to safety, and will identify opportunities for future co-operation and co-ordination.
Presented items fall under the categories of
- national regulatory developments
- developments related to voluntary measures or stewardship schemes
- information on risk assessment decisions
- information on developments related to good practice
- research programmes or strategies
- information on public / stakeholder consultation
Besides snapshots on cuntries' activities, among many others, from Germany, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, the EC, and the Russian Federation, the report also summarises the outcomes from the IFCS session in Senegal in September 2008 (see our October newsletter) as well as recent activities of the OECD, ISO, NATO and WHO related to the safety of manufactured nanomaterials.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental organisation in which representatives of 30 industrialised countries in North America, Europe and the Asia and Pacific region, as well as the European Commission, meet to co-ordinate and harmonise policies, discuss issues of mutual concern, and work together to respond to international problems. The Environment, Health and Safety Division publishes free-of-charge documents in ten different series: Testing and Assessment; Good Laboratory Practice and Compliance Monitoring; Pesticides and Biocides; Risk Management; Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology; Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds; Chemical Accidents; Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers; Emission Scenario Documents; and the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials.
Downlaod the report: OECD