The FP7 project “FramingNano:
an International multi-stakeholder dialogue platform to regulate the development of Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies (NS&T)” commenced in May 2008. This 2-year support action (SA) is funded under the Programme 'Capacities', in the area 'Science in Society', within the 7th Framework Program (FP7) of the EU. It includes 6 partners from 6 European countries. 

The objective of the project is to build a deliberative process involving key nanotechnology stakeholders. The aim of this process is to track the development of nanotechnology and to inform its associated governance and regulation (as enacted by the European Commission, EU policy makers and other involved stakeholders) through the design of a model that ensures that such development takes place responsibly and to the benefit of both individuals and society.

A debate at European level amongst the scientific, institutional and industrial communities, and also the broader public, will be enacted through a variety of instruments to generate a proposal for a Governance Plan with actions and recommendations at different levels.

A dedicated website and quarterly newsletter will provide unique sources of information on nanotechnology governance.

The Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Health has announced the release of a public discussion paper concerning the strengthening of regulations on industrial nanomaterials use in Australia.

The discussion paper addresses the six key areas for regulatory reform identified by the independent Monash Report: Review of the Possible Impacts of Nanotechnology on Australia's Regulatory Frameworks.

Major regulatory reforms explored by the discussion paper include:

• refinement of pre?market assessment categories for nanoforms of new chemicals, particularly where human health or environmental exposure can reasonably be anticipated;
• a mandatory notification and assessment program for nanoforms of existing chemicals.

The national regulator of industrial chemicals, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), will be working with comparable overseas regulatory authorities that are also actively considering similar measures.

NICNAS stakeholder consultation pages and downloadable documents

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Health Media Release

The European Commission has recently adopted a Communication entitled "Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies: an action plan for Europe 2005-2009 - "Second Implementation Report 2007-2009" as part of its Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies Action plan for Europe 2005-2009.

The report notes that the past two years have seen a substantial development of nanotechnology, supported by a further growth in research funding and the active development of policy, and also that novel applications and products of nanotechnology are constantly being realised. In this light it states that efforts to address societal and safety concerns must be continued to ensure the safe and sustainable development of nanotechnology.

The Commission highlight a number of urgent needs required from the regulatory point of view:

• Research funding should be both increased and consolidated, to keep up with the pace of development and marketing of new applications;
• To obtain relevant data, currently available methods for risk assessment need to be adjusted, validated and harmonised for nanomaterials;
• In particular, methods need to be improved, developed and validated, in the areas of characterisation, exposure assessment, hazard identification, life cycle assessment and simulation. To this end, research will also be needed on fundamental aspects regarding the interaction of nanomaterials with living organisms;
• Suitable reference nanomaterials are needed for method development and validation, as well as for quality assurance;
• Public databases need to be developed, to serve in the safety assessment of nanomaterials;
• Particular focus should be given to research speeding up the development of test guidelines and standards within OECD, ISO and CEN.

The Commission also states that it is aware of the need to obtain a better and more accurate overview and that it intends to present information on types and uses of nanomaterials, including safety aspects, in 2011.

Second nanotechnology implementation report

Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies Action Plan 2005-2009

European Commission nanotechnology policy homepage

Source: SafeNano

The Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances (ACHS) to the United Kingdom's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has released a "Report on Nanosilver", recommending that government bodies fund a thorough review of the hazard and exposure of silver nanoparticles as an immediate priority.  This should include the identification and formation of an inventory of consumer products containing nanosilver.

ACHS noted that of all the consumer products on the market claiming to contain nanomaterials, the greatest number used silver nanoparticles, e.g. in cosmetics, fabrics, toothpaste, toothbrushes, kitchen surfaces, bandages, medical equipment and other products.

The report notes that, due to lack of knowledge, the nature of the environmental risk associated with the widespread use of nanosilver products is at present poorly characterised and suggests that the likely wide use of consumer products using nanosilver as an antibacterial agent suggests wide environmental exposure.

ACHS Report on Nanosilver

Source: SafeNano