Regulators say they lack consensus-based standards for key aspects of nanomaterials

Search SAFENANO

Search:

SAFENANO Tags

applications best practice business carbon nanotubes case study characterisation commercial products conference consumer products & protection consumers cosmetics dermal disease ecotoxicology emerging risks enpra environment european commission exposure assessment exposure limits feature article food good practice guidance hazard assessment health and safety human health industry legislation life cycle manufacture manufacturing safety measurement NIOSH OECD personal protective equipment policy REACH reference materials regulation research risk assessment & management society standards titanium dioxide toxicity toxicology training workplace

You are here > Knowledge Base > Current Awareness > Article View

SAFENANO News

Regulators say they lack consensus-based standards for key aspects of nanomaterials
Created by assoceditor on 19/12/2011 11:49:18

At a NIST/ANSI workshop held last week, regulators said they lack consensus-based standards for key aspects of nanomaterials.

At a workshop held last week, "The International Workshop on Challenges to Increased Use of Documentary Nanotechnology Standards", regulators said they lack consensus-based standards for key aspects of nanomaterials. The lack of standards means the often cannot interpret the results of toxicity tests, and, officials added, they are often not even sure what to call some of the products they review.

The workshop, which was organised by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), aimed to encourage broader use of nanotechnology standards, identify barriers to their adoption, as well as explore ways diverse parties can collaborate on the development and use of such standards.

Maria Doa, Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chemical Control Division, said, "EPA has an immediate need for standards."

Participants discussed the many reasons for the apparent disconnect between the need for standards and the utilisation of them, while noting the complexity of nanotechnology in general, and its many applications. This complexity implies that many different types of standards are needed for these diverse applications. Mary Saunders, Director of NIST’s Standards Coordination Office, said one concern noted throughout the meeting was the mismatch between what regulators and other entities need and the standards being developed by various organisations. Saunders said NIST would be working on this mismatch. Other participants voiced concern over the lack of volunteers from industry, consumer organisations, and other groups who can devote the time needed to develop consensus-based standards.

Source: Meridian Nanotechnology & Development News Summary

Comments

	Knowledge Base	Services	Research
Sign up for our newsletter	Current Awareness	Solutions	Our skills
Sign up for our newsletter	Guidance	Expertise	Projects Undertaken
	Regulation	Importance of Nanosafety	Collaborate with Us
Send us your questions	Standards	Nanosafety Test
Send us your questions	Resources	Downloads		Add & Share \|