The report, entitled “Study on the Product Lifecycles, Waste Recycling and the Circular Economy for Nanomaterials” was commissioned by the European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON), which is hosted and maintained by ECHA. EUON provides information about existing nanomaterials on the EU market. It is funded by the European Commission The study was made by RPA Europe. 

Published: November 2021

• Full report [PDF] [EN]

This study investigates the public perception of manufactured nanomaterials as a group, and their use in different consumer products together with shopping habits, trust in authorities, preferred information sources and labelling requirements among the general population in five European countries – Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, France and Poland. 

Published: November 2020

• Full report [PDF] [EN]

The study gathered, evaluated and summarised the available knowledge on the dermal penetration and absorption of nanomaterials used in consumer products and occupational settings. It covered experimental data including vivo and ex vivo studies. The influence of damaged versus intact skin and of different experimental set-ups and methods was also investigated. Nanomaterial characteristics, including particle size and surface charge, were also analysed. The focus was on materials with low dissolution rates.

Published: May 2020

This study performed a critical review of the current knowledge from studies with testing of manufactured nanomaterials for reproductive and developmental toxicity. Relevant literature databases and relevant search terms were identified, and a literature search was conducted in order to identify publications with in vivo data where manufactured nanomaterials have been tested for reproductive and developmental toxicity using an exposure route relevant for human exposure.

Published: April 2020

This study presents the analysis of literature definitions for "next generation" nanomaterials and suggests some refinements for the creation of an inventory of second and higher generation nanomaterials, both on the market or expected on the market in the next five years. It assesses the suitability of REACH and CLP terms “substance”, “mixture” and “article” and the characterisation and identification parameters included in the amended REACH Annexes with regard to next generation nanomaterials.

Published: September 2019

The report reviews the safe use of nano-sized pigments when used by professionals, workers or consumers. Extensive literature searches were carried out in combination with analyses of data from national nano-inventories to capture the current state of play. The report provides a list of nano-sized pigments currently identified on the EU market and discusses potential risks arising from their use in paints, coatings, printer toner cartridges, personal care products, tattooes as well as other potential uses of nanopigments.

Published: September 2018

The report presents the results of a critical review on the relevance and reliability of data sources, methods, parameters and determining factors to produce market studies on manufactured nanomaterials in the EU. It serves as a basis for conducting and producing new studies on nanomaterials in the EU market. It begins with analysing the data sources, methods and parameters already used for such market studies, and identifies, proposes and analyses a further optimal combination of these data sources, methods, parameters and determining factors.

Published: July 2018

The ex-post evaluation assesses the observatory against its effectiveness, coherence, EU added-value and utility to understand to which extent it has met its main objectives and what has been the added value to its stakeholders, potential shortfalls to be addressed as well as success factors.

Published: July 2019