AIHA publishes nanomaterials guidance
New guidance sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Nanotechnology Working Group addresses stewardship considerations for nanomaterials and nanoproducts based on the evolving state of the science for human health hazard, exposure, and risk assessment. The guidance promotes a lifecycle approach and safer design principles for particles, production, and products; reviews the regulatory landscape; and provides practical suggestions to help determine presence of nanoscale ingredients in raw materials from suppliers. The new guidance also describes challenges to consistent and meaningful hazard communication and understanding of exposure potential. Literature references and links related to nanomaterial stewardship compiled by the authors are also included in the document. Read more at https://www.aiha.org/government-affairs/PositionStatements/Nanomaterial%20Stewardship%20Guidance.pdf
Cefic outlines positive impact of Horizon 2020
The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) has welcomed the achievements of the Horizon 2020 Framework Funding Programme but calls for strong commitment to ensure that the programme translates into industrial competitiveness, furthers the development of Key Enabling Technologies, reinforce intellectual property strategy and increase successful industrial participation in order to deliver impact for Europe. The report identified positive impact of four of the six main technologies identified by the European Commission to strengthen the EU industrial and innovation capacity that are core businesses of the chemical sector, notably advanced materials, industrial biotechnology, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Read more at http://www.cefic.org/Documents/RESOURCES/Reports-and-Brochure/Report-EU-Research-and-Innovation-Interim-Evaluation-of-Horizon2020.pdf
The Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety of the European Commission (SCCS) has finalised its opinion on the safety of the nanoform of titanium dioxide (TiO2) used as UV-filter in dermally-applied cosmetics and coated with cetyl phosphate, manganese dioxide or triethoxycaprylylsilane. Read more at https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_202.pdf
The Council of the European Union released its position with a view to the adoption of a Regulation on Medical Devices. The new Regulation on medical devices lays down a dedicated classification rule for devices incorporating or consisting of nanomaterials. The critical factor is the potential for nanomaterials to be in contact with membranes inside the body. Those devices presenting a high or medium potential for such contact will fall under the highest risk class and thus be subject to the most stringent conformity assessment procedures. Read more at http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10728-2016-REV-4/en/pdf
