On December 11, 2019, the European Commission (EC) announced the publication of a Joint Research Centre (JRC) report that provides guidance for “the correct implementation of the European Commission’s nanomaterial definition” under Commission Recommendation 2011/696/EU. Specifically, it outlines measurement methods and techniques in order to determine whether or not a material falls within the definition. The publication of the report came just a few weeks before a January 1, 2020 deadline for companies to provide additional information on nanomaterials under REACH (FPF reported).
The report emphasizes that “for a correct classification whether a material is a nanomaterial or not, a thorough knowledge of the applied measurement method is needed to correctly interpret the outcome of a measurement and to understand whether a specific technique is fit for the purpose.” It provides examples and options for readers to consider, including a flowchart to assist in the identification. In February 2019, the JRC published a first report providing an overview of the concepts and terms used within the EC’s definition of a nanomaterial (FPF reported).
Read more
EU Science Hub (December 11, 2019). “How to identify nanomaterials – the JRC recommends appropriate methods.”
Andrew Turley (December 12, 2019). “Commission report outlines EU nanomaterial sizing methods for compliance.” Chemical Watch
Nanotechnology Industries Association (December 19, 2019). “JRC Report on identification of nanomaterials.”
Reference
Rauscher, H. et. al. (2019). “Identification of nanomaterials through measurements.” EU JRC
