In an article published on July 24, 2017, regulatory news provider Chemical Watch reported on an open letter by several French non-governmental organizations (NGOs) demanding action on nanomaterials from France’s prime minister. The letter was published on June 12, 2017 and signed by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), the Association for Monitoring and Informing Civic Societies on the Challenges of Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies (AVICENN), French Nature Environment (FNE), the General Organisation of Consumers of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Families of France (ORGECO), Action for the Environment (APE), Women Engage for a Common Future France (WECF France), the Committee for Sustainable Development in Health (C2DS), and the Centre for Information on the Environment and Action for Health (CIEAS).
The organizations called for labeling and restriction of nanomaterials in consumer products. In particular, the NGOs proposed three concrete actions “to be taken as a matter of urgency:” 1) Temporarily prohibit the use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in ingestible products (e.g. food, medicines, toothpaste) due to scientific evidence of carcinogenicity (FPF reported), 2) improve consumer information (e.g. mandatory labeling of products containing nanomaterials), and 3) ensure traceability of nanomaterials and products that contain them by improving the functionality and accessibility of the French nano-registry (FPF reported). Further, the NGOs highlighted the importance of establishing a national strategy on nanomaterials that follows the precautionary principle.
Read more
Chemical Watch (July 24, 2017). “NGOs urge labelling, restriction of nanomaterials in French consumer products.”
VeilleNanos (July 12, 2017). “Lettre ouverte au gouvernement, 12 juillet 2017.” (in French)
