Read our latest guest column from Carlos-Eduardo Lima Da Cunha from the European Commission who explains how the EU is supporting safe by design approaches to new technologies such as nanomaterials, to deliver safer products to the market.

The European Commission has published an updated catalogue of nanomaterials used in cosmetic products on the EU market. It lists nanomaterials used as UV-filters, colourants and preservatives and indicates the cosmetic product categories where they are used together with foreseeable exposure conditions.

A new study has shown that a significant fraction of nanoparticles tested in the toxicity studies of nanoparticles and to develop nanomedicines, may remain in the plastic syringes used to dose the nanoparticles. This has implications on the reliability and reproducibility of the studies and on efforts to reduce animal testing.

Read the latest guest column from Elke Schneider from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work who explains what the EU is doing to protect its workers and what different tools and guidance are available.

The EUON is looking for topic suggestions that could be addressed in its upcoming studies. Up to 3 studies are conducted annually to address knowledge gaps on nanomaterials that are of interest to the general public and the research community.

Why should we strengthen societal engagement and what does it even mean? That may be the question at the forefront of many readers. In our latest guest post, Lise Bitsch from the EU-funded GoNano project writes about why the research and innovation world of nanotechnologies and other key enabling technologies should care about societal engagement.

An overview of test guidelines relevant for the safety testing of nanomaterials is now available on the EUON. The list focusses on companies needing to meet updated regulatory requirements under the REACH Regulation.

A study commissioned by the EU nanomaterials observatory has found that the current EU regulatory framework for characterising and identifying “next generation” nanomaterials is able to address the majority of them and that no significant changes will be needed in the near future.

GoNano, an EU funded Horizon 2020 project invites you to share your thoughts on the first suggestions for future nanotechnology applications in the health, energy and food sectors as part of its co-creation process.

Two years since its launch, the EUON has carried out a mid-term review to evaluate how it has met its objective of giving reliable information on the markets and safety aspects of nanomaterials in the EU. The findings show that the EUON is adding value to the EU debate on nanomaterials but more frequent and up-to-date information could strengthen it further.

The search uses REACH registrations, the cosmetic ingredients notification portal and the French and Belgian national inventories to make up the most comprehensive search for nanomaterials in the EU. It enables regulators to form a better view of available data and consumers to access chemical safety information.

The reports aim to help select the best methods and parameters for the physico-chemical characterisation of nanomaterials. They include a framework for informing the risk assessment of manufactured nanomaterials and guiding principles for measurements and reporting.

A recently published results pack showcases 14 EU-funded projects that have made progress towards demonstrating how nano-enhanced advanced materials can be safely, sustainably and competitively launched into the industrial mainstream.

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has opened a call to access the JRC Nanobiotechnology Laboratory for external researchers from the public and private sectors. The call is open until 7 June 2019.

The NanoSafety Cluster coordinates the funding of research projects at the European level that address the safety aspects of nanomaterials. Read an interview about the benefits and risks of new innovations with Eva Valsami-Jones, the lead coordinator of the cluster.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) published a report clarifying key concepts and terms used in the European Commission's nanomaterial definition. The report gives recommendations for a harmonised implementation of the definition.

A new study performed by scientists at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre demonstrates the applicability of the European Chemicals Agency’s recommendations for the grouping and read-across of nanomaterials.

Scientists from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) have published a series of papers assessing the availability and applicability of computational models in the safety assessment of nanomaterials with a view to promoting their further development and use in regulatory decision-making.

The EUON conducts up to 3 studies annually. They aim to address knowledge gaps relating to nanomaterials that are of interest to the general public and the research community. The EUON is now looking for topic suggestions that could be addressed in its upcoming studies.

A specific revision of the REACH information requirements for nanomaterials has now been adopted by the European Commission. The amendments clarify what information companies placing substances in nanoform on the market need to provide in their registration dossiers. The new rules apply as of 1 January 2020.

Scientists from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) have produced an inventory of publicly available tools for the safety assessment of nanomaterials. The NANoREG Toolbox covers an unprecedented range of over 500 tools, developed in Europe and internationally.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has published an info sheet with an overview of how to deal with manufactured nanomaterials in the workplace.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a case study by the European Union Joint Research Centre (JRC) on grouping and read-across for the genotoxicity of nano titanium dioxide. Although the case study successfully evaluated the confidence in read-across argumentation for nanomaterials, some nanospecific issues were identified for further clarification.

A new study, commissioned by the EU Observatory for Nanomaterials, found gaps in the current knowledge on the hazard and risk assessment of nano-sized pigments. The study identified 81 nano-sized pigments currently used in the EU market.

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has mapped currently used terminology in the field of nanomedicines. The outcome of their analysis supports the development of harmonised use of terminology in the future.

A study commissioned by the European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) has reviewed data sources, methods and parameters for carrying out market studies on nanomaterials in the EU.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published guidance on how to assess the safety of applying nanoscience and nanotechnology in food applications. The guidance gives practical suggestions on the types of testing that are needed and the methods that can be applied.

EU researchers are testing a nano-based packaging material that releases antimicrobial oils to slow food spoilage and prevent foodborne illnesses.

The European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) features two searchable databases: NanoData, a knowledge base on nano science and technology and the eNanoMapper that helps you find safety information about nanomaterials.

A working group of the Nordic Council of Ministers is launching an information campaign on REACH-relevant regulation for nanomaterials with the aim of developing a simple and easily usable web-tool to explain EU chemical legislation requirements for nanomaterials.

The REACH Committee has voted to amend REACH Annexes to explicitly address nanoforms of substances. The specific requirements will address the knowledge gap on which substances registered under REACH are placed on the market as nanomaterials and in which quantities.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is inviting stakeholders to send information that could help with the preparation of a possible restriction on the intentional use of microplastic particles in products. The call for evidence also covers microplastic particles within the nanoscale.

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) call to access the JRC Nanobiotechnology Laboratory has been extended until 25 May 2018.

The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has published its opinion on titanium dioxide (nano form) coated with cetyl phosphate, manganese dioxide or triethoxycaprylylsilane used as a UV-filter in dermally applied cosmetics.

The Swedish National Platform for Nanosafety launched a website for communication and knowledge exchange on the safety aspects of nanomaterials. The website is aimed at regulators, scientists, industry, NGOs, and others interested in the safety of nanomaterials.

Our new website gives information on the benefits and risks of chemicals in their everyday lives. It features content on nanomaterials, focussing on topics such as health, the workplace and the products we buy.

EUON has published a table linking nanomaterials used in cosmetic products in the EU to their registration data in the European Chemicals Agency's database. There you can find more information about their safe use and what regulatory activities are relevant to them.

Lack of hazard information hampers risk assessment and identification of the potential need for further risk management measures for nanomaterials on the EU market. ECHA's strategy for substances with nanoforms highlights need for increased cooperation with Member States.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concludes that there is no safety concern from certain uses of selenium in food and food contacting materials for consumers. The carefully assessed uses are selenium nanoparticles in multilayer films, separated from the food by a polyolefin food contact layer for any type of food in any food contact conditions.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has opened a public consultation on its draft guidance for the risk assessment of nanoscience and nanotechnology applications in the food and feed chain. The guidance covers areas within EFSA’s remit such as novel foods, food contact materials, food and feed additives, and pesticides.

The German Environmental Protection Agency (UBA) has published a report aiming to develop a concept for the grouping of engineered nanomaterials by their ecotoxicological effects on algae, daphnids and fish embryos.

This webinar explains the support documentation available for registrants that cover nanoforms in their registration dossier.

A recent report looks into barriers that need to be addressed in order to accelerate the industrial uptake of nanotechnologies and advanced materials.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on amendments to the Annexes of REACH for the registration of nanomaterials.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released 3 test guidelines specifically developed for nanomaterials on 9 October.

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) opens its scientific laboratories and facilities to people working in academia and research organisations, industry, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and more in general to the public and private sector.

The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has opened its preliminary opinion on colloidal silver (nano) used in cosmetics, for public commenting. The comments are due on 15 May 2018.