On June 9, 2015 the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) announced in a press release that the seven year experimental testing program of manufactured nanomaterials has come to an end and released the results publicly. The OECD’s Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) launched the ‘Sponsorship Programme for the Testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials’ (testing program) in November 2007 and decided in 2014 to make the testing data publicly available (FPF reported). In scope of the testing program, 11 commercially viable nanomaterials were investigated to determine whether the tests used on standard chemical compounds are adequate for nanomaterials. More than 110 different chemical tests on physical and chemical properties, environmental fate and pathways, ecotoxicology, and toxicology were considered. This resulted in more than 780 studies undertaken on the specific properties of nanomaterials. The studied nanomaterials include cerium oxide, single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, fullerenes, gold nanoparticles, nanoclays, silicon dioxide, silver nanoparticles, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The WPMN concluded that the standard test guidelines used for regular chemical substances are for the most part suitable for use on nanomaterials. More information on the testing program and the dossiers and endpoints are now available on OECD’s website. In a disclaimer, the OECD notes that the dossiers show the efficacy and accuracy of standard test guidelines and are not intended for use in risk assessments of nanomaterials.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) stated that it welcomes more nano-specific data being made publicly available. Further, ECHA encourages registrants of the investigated nanomaterials to assess the new data and when relevant to update the registration dossiers to ensure the safe use of the substances.

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OECD (June 9, 2015). “OECD chemical studies show way forward for nanomaterial safety.

OECD (2015). “Testing programme of manufactured nanomaterials.

ECHA (June 9, 2015). “OECD releases new data on nanomaterials – registrants asked to consider the information.

Nanotechnology Industries Association (June 9, 2015). “OECD publishes nanomaterial safety testing data on 11 manufactured nanomaterials.

Food Packaging Forum (June 25, 2013). Nanomaterials.

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