In an article published on October 10, 2018, by regulatory news provider Chemical Watch, reporter Clelia Oziel informed about the so-called Berlin Declaration that proposes “a set of recommendations to address regulatory gaps on nanomaterials, including the use of a ‘uniform and unambiguous’ definition [of nanomaterials] across all relevant EU legislation.” The declaration is an outcome of the 12th International Nano-Authorities Dialogue held in Berlin, Germany, on June 7-8, 2018, with five participating countries, namely Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland. The authorities of these countries have been closely cooperating in the field of nanotechnology for many years.
On October 9, 2018, the Berlin Declaration was presented to the EU’s Environment Council. However, this document “does not relate to current or proposed legislation, so a formal response or decision from the Council is not required.” Therefore, as a spokesperson informed Chemical Watch, it remains “up to the Commission to table a legislative proposal.”
In April 2018, changes in the REACH annexes relating to nanomaterials were adopted by the EU Member States (FPF reported) These amendments will enter into force in 2020. Before that, test methods will also need to be adopted, and the European Commission’s (EC) Joint Research Centre is leading an effort on that (FPF reported). The draft definition of nanomaterials, proposed by the EC in 2017 (FPF reported), has not been finalized yet and remains subject of ongoing discussions (FPF reported).
Read more
Clelia Oziel (October 10, 2018). “European initiative urges ‘uniform and unanimous’ nanomaterial definition.” Chemical Watch
Reference
Council of the European Union (October 2, 2018). “’Berlin declaration’ on nanomaterials – Information from the German delegation, supported by the Luxembourg delegation.” (pdf)
