ISO releases new standard on antimicrobial performance of nanomaterial-enhanced textiles
The International Standards Organization (ISO) has released ISO/TS 23650:2021, specifying the antimicrobial performance assessment method for textiles containing manufactured (metals/metal oxides) nanomaterials (TCMNMs).
EUON publishes study on nanomaterials in waste
The ECHA EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) released a report, delivered by RPA Europe, on the amount of waste streams containing nanomaterials in the EU.
OECD releases new models on nanomaterial exposure assessment
The OECD has recently published four documents focusing on tools and models to assess environmental exposure to manufactured nanomaterials, from both an occupational and a consumer perspective. A functional assessment and statistical analysis of tools and models for nano-specific environmental exposure was performed, together with an analysis of...
ANSES publishes health risk assessment guide for nanomaterials in food
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has released a guide on a risk assessment methodology for nanomaterials used as food additives and ingredients with a nutritional function.
EU to ban titanium dioxide as a food additive
The EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) has approved the European Commission's proposal for a ban on the use of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive, starting in early 2022. The proposal was based on a revised EFSA scientific opinion, which concluded that E171 could no longer be considered as safe when used as a...
IMEC and GSK to collaborate on nano-enabled vaccine research
After a year of preliminary joint research, NIA member IMEC has signed a cooperation agreement with pharmaceutical company GSK to explore how nanotechnology can accelerate the development and production of vaccines. Nanotechnology will also be used to automate the relevant production processes. The collaboration will be articulated in different...
ECHA publishes new Q&A for nanoforms downstream users
The European Chemicals Agency has released a new set of Q&As for downstream users of nanoforms. The document provides information on registration obligations; nanoforms definition and characterization; sets of similar nanoforms; reporting and submission, including joint submissions; and other downstream users obligations.
EU consultation on revision of the CLP Regulation opens
As anticipated in its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the European Commission has opened a stakeholder consultation as part of the targeted revision of the CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures).
NIA Member Spotlight series 4
SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY – SLINTEC Our Member Spotlight series is back after the summer break. In this issue, we speak with Dr Nareshkumar B. Handagama, Chief Executive Officer at the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC).
ANSES releases position on the nanomaterial definition revision
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety has published their main comments for the EU public consultation on the definition of nanomaterials.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published the following standards
ISO/TS 21633:2021, “Label-free impedance technology to assess the toxicity of nanomaterials in vitro”. This document describes a methodology of a label free and real-time detection for non-invasive monitoring of cell-based assays to assess toxicity of nanomaterials to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. (link)  Published 11.08.2021 
EFSA has published a Guidance on risk assessment of nanomaterials to be applied in the food and feed chain: human and animal health
The updated guidance takes account of relevant scientific studies that provide insights to physico‐chemical properties, exposure assessment and hazard characterisation of nanomaterials and areas of applicability.
EFSA has published their “Safety assessment of the substance silver nanoparticles for use in food contact materials”
The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the additive silver nanoparticles intended to be used in plastics.
European Commission status report on the use of nanomaterials in cosmetics
The European Commission publishes an annual status report on the use of nanomaterials in cosmetic products. The 2021 report, released at the end of July, includes the following findings:
MEP supports centralized regulatory approach to nanomedicine
In an article published this week by Parliament Magazine, Member of the European Parliament Petar Vitanov called for a centralized regulatory approach to nanomedicine.
Open Call for new applications in printed electronics, catalysis, and advanced materials
VSPARTICLE, NIA member, has an open Call to receive multiple days-worth of VSP-P1 Nanostructured Material Printer access equivalent to €10,000 worth of contract research. Read more about the conditions HERE.
Horizon Europe calls 2021-22 published
The Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-22 was published today. Horizon Europe is the main EU funding scheme for collaborative research and innovation projects, with a €95.5 billion budget for the period 2021-27.
Safe- and sustainable-by-design updates: EU expert roundtable, stakeholder consultation
Following its first stakeholder meeting on safe- and sustainable-by-design (SSbD), the European Commission has launched a stakeholder consultation to complement the findings of the mapping study it released in April. The consultation, which is open until June 30, will inform the development of SSbD criteria for the chemicals sector.
Filling the Nanosafety data gaps: Towards FAIR Nanosafety Data
Billons of euros has been invested by both the private and public sector in nanotechnology research to help advance this key enabling technology. Several large-scale collaborative projects have investigated the environmental and human health aspects of nanomaterials. There has been a clear gap on the reuse of data between various projects and an...
GAIKER joins NIA
We’re happy to welcome a new member to NIA. GAIKER Technology Centre, based in the Basque Country, is a research institute offering innovative technological solutions for corporations. Established as a foundation in 1985, the institute’s expertise includes biotechnology, sustainable composites, and functional polymers. In addition to R&D...