Two consumer organisations - the European Consumer Voice in Standardisation (ANEC) and the European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC) - have jointly launched a first attempt at an inventory of products currently on the EU market which claim to contain nanoparticles.

The inventory – which is free to access by clicking here  - covers categories including computers, flooring, household appliances, garden product and items for children and healthcare. Its development and launch follows concerns from both ANEC and BEUC surrounding the increasing number of products sold on the EU market which claim to contain nanomaterials without having been subject to a proper safety assessment.  ANEC/BEUC plan to regularly update the inventory, and hope it will provide a better indication of the potential exposure of consumers to nanomaterials.

Accompanying the inventory launch, ANEC/BEUC also released a leaflet entitled “Nanotechnology: Small is beautiful but is it safe?”, which provides a simple overview of the key concepts, uses and safety concerns related to nanotechnology and nanomaterials.  In addition, the leaflet includes a series of demands from the two consumer organisations for the regulation of nanotechnology, listed as follows:

• Clear definitions of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies to guarantee legal certainties and allow the development of regulatory requirements;
• The application of the precautionary principle in the field of nanotechnologies;
• The assessment of the safety of nanomaterials by independent scientific bodies before they can be used in consumer products with which consumers come in direct, close or frequent contact (including cosmetics, food and clothing) or in products that could potentially harm the environment;
• Adequate safety and risk assessment methodologies taking account of all characteristics of nanomaterials;
• The adaptation of existing European legislation relevant to nanomaterials or the development of new legislation in order to safeguard consumer health and safety, and the environment;
• The establishment or adaptation of legal requirementsrelated to health and safety (e.g. limit values for certain nanomaterials in products);
• The establishment of a public inventory of products that contain nanomaterials to ensure transparency about the use of nanomaterials;
• The labelling of consumer products containing nanomaterials in particular products with which consumers come in direct, close or frequent contact such as cosmetics, food products and clothing;
• Effective participatory processes in order to allow citizens to fully engage in technological developments which will have an impact on their everyday lives.

Click here to read the leaflet in full.