Tracing Nano
Currently many products at the market incorporate nanomaterials for which a proper risk assessment could not be made. Contrary to the REACH principle no data no market the presence of nanomaterials in its content is generally not reported either
10.09.2012 | WECF Project
| Countries: | European Union |
| Donors: | Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, the Netherlands |
| Partners: | IVAM, Natuur en Milieu, FNV, ETUI, EEB,WECF and associated partner Consumentenbond (Dutch Consumers Union) |
| Duration: | 04/2012 - 01/2014 |
Currently many products at the market incorporate nanomaterials for which a proper risk assessment can not be made. Contrary to the REACH principle 'no data no market' the presence of nano materials in its content is generally not reported either. There are as well products put on the market that use nano as sales argument while the product appears not to contain any MNMs.
Given this situation, it is the demand of many stakeholders (industrial companies as well as consumers and their organizations) to be informed about the nano materials used in their products to be able to perform an independent risk assessment and if deemed necessary to develop a risk management strategy.
The use of the precautionary principle is advocated by European and National governmental and industrial policy makers in case of lacks in knowledge or uncertainties. Based on this principle, a diversity of tools has been developed to support consumers, employers and employees in assessing uncertain risks of nanomaterials and nanoproducts and performing risk management.
However, the issue of traceability has to be solved in order to be able to apply these tools, bringing the issue back to the question on how to recognize a nanomaterial or nanoproduct? Almost all users of nanoproducts struggle with the same principle question: to assess the need for possible precautionary measures, it must be clear whether NMs are used in the product.
Project goals:
- Focusing the wishes and demands of the CSOs regarding the traceability of nanomaterials and nanoproducts and clarify the joint interests of CSOs on this issue
- Formulate building blocks for a possible strategy at the European level to enhance the traceability of nanomaterials in products and that will allow to meet the formulated demands.
- Test the feasibility of the designed strategies with some industrial and EC stakeholders and monitoring initial reactions
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