On April 13, 2016 the non-profit organizations Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), European Environmental Citizens’ Organisation for Standardisation (ECOS), and the Öko-Institut released a “Declaration on waste containing nanomaterials.” The organizations highlight the need for “preventive measures to protect people and the environment from possible hazards of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in waste streams.” Waste containing nanomaterials should be categorized as hazardous waste, in order to control disposal routes and limit human and environmental exposure. Further, the declaration demands “waste reduction at the source, full producer responsibility, and the creation of a public EU nano-product register.” More than 80 signatories from civil society organizations and research institutes worldwide have endorsed the declaration.
In their press release, the organizations also refer to a report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in February 2016 entitled “Nanomaterials in waste streams: Current knowledge on risks and impacts.” The OECD report emphasizes that “waste containing nanomaterials is currently disposed along with conventional waste without any special precaution or treatment,” and explores whether existing waste treatment processes can effectively minimize the potential risks associated with nanomaterials.
In March 2016, the European Commission (EC) announced at a meeting of the EC’s Competent Authority Subgroup on Nanomaterials (CASG-nano) that it does not want to establish an EU nano register and prefers listing existing information on nanomaterials on a public website (FPF reported).
Read more
CIEL (April 13, 2016). “Declaration: Precautionary approach critical on waste containing nanomaterials.”
Geraint Roberts (April 14, 2016). “Ciel, Ecos and Öko-Institut seek action on waste containing nano.” Chemical Watch
References
CIEL, ECOS & Öko-Institut (April 13, 2016). “Declaration on waste containing nanomaterials.” (pdf)
OECD (2016). “Nanomaterials in waste streams: Current knowledge on risks and impacts.”
