EU to Review Nanomaterials Policies

he EU executive plans to respond positively to the European Parliament's call for a number of EU policies and regulations covering health and environmental safety issues related to nanomaterials to be reviewed.

"The Commission will review all relevant legislation within two years to ensure safety for all applications of nanomaterials in products with potential health, environmental or safety impacts over their life cycle," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, addressingexternal a nanoregulation conferenceexternal on 9 October.

"Many different Commission services must contribute in response to the broad range of requests," he added.

The statement represents the first response to MEPs' call for a clear regulatory and policy framework on nanomaterials (EurActiv 28/04/09).

According to sources, the Commission has adopted its response to the Parliament's request, but is yet to officially send it. As on many other EU policy areas, there is internal disagreement on the matter within the EU executive. While its departments for environment and health back stronger legislation and precautions on the matter, the department for enterprise and industry could do with less stringent or specific legislation.

Earlier this spring, the House askedexternal the Commission to "review all relevant legislation within two years [by April 2011] to implement the principle 'no data, no market' for all applications of nanomaterials in products with potential health, environmental or safety impacts over their life cycle".

The Parliament argued that in the absence of any nano-specific provisions in Community law and given the lack of appropriate data and methods to assess risks related to nanomaterials, it is impossible to address their risks within the framework of current EU legislation.

It also called for amendments to the EU chemicals legislation REACH. The House wants to see registration of nanomaterials simplified, a "chemical safety report with exposure assessment for all registered nanomaterials irrespective of hazard identification" developed, and notification requirements for all nanomaterials placed on the market introduced.

Green MEP Carl Schlyter, draftsman of the Parliament's non-binding resolution, stressed the need for "a compulsory register for nanomaterials, as experience shows that voluntary reporting by the industry does not function".