Brussels drops idea of special nanotechnology law

Published: 10-Oct-2012

Says REACH system ensures safety of product including nanoparticles, but will need to be modified


Pharmaceutical companies using nanoparticles in the European Union (EU) will not have to contend with a special nanotechnology environmental health law after the European Commission opposed creating such legislation.

This follows a long review, where some environmentalists have pushed the idea, citing the unusual behaviour of nanoparticles, notably concerns about them crossing the blood-brain barrier. However, the Commission has now decided that existing EU chemical controls, especially the REACH system, are suitably equipped to ensure the safety of products including nanoparticles.

The Commission says it is ‘convinced that REACH sets the best possible framework for the risk management of nanomaterials'.

However, it says REACH guidelines would need to be modified to deal with nanoparticles and said the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) should develop new guidance for registrations after the next major deadline for registering chemicals on 31 May 2013.

The Commission added that the legal definition of nanoparticles – between 1 and 100 billionth of a metre – would be written into relevant EU legislation.

You may also like