According to a February 17, 2014 press release by the French consumer organization monitoring nanotechnology AVICENN, the European Commission may not require the declaration of long used ingredients in nano-form in its Regulation EC 1169/2011 on engineered nanomaterials. If the EC’s proposal was followed, the regulation, which was erroneously published December 12, 2013 and subsequently withdrawn, would exempt chemicals that have been used for tens of years in their nano-form from the obligation of declaration. Such chemicals include calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, silver, gold and silicium, which have all raised public health concerns, according to the press release. On February 5, 2014 the environmental committee of European Parliament adopted a motion for a resolution (pdf) rejecting the Commission’s proposition. On January 10, 2014 France demanded a prolongation of the deadline for comments. The French consumer organization sent a letter to the French Minister of the Economy, requesting him to take a position in favor of a full declaration of nanomaterials. Further, the threshold for declaration at 50% nano-particle content of an ingredient as set by the draft regulation is considered too high by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC). Trade associations, on the other hand, have expressed concerns, that the obligation of declaration may errode consumer trust.
Read more
AVICENN (February 17, 2014). “EUROPE : La mention [nano] figurera-t-elle ou non sur les étiquettes des produits alimentaires fin 2014.“ (in French)
Committee of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (February 5, 2014). "Motion for a resolution B7-0000/2014." European Parliament.
