Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials

Nanotechnologies are likely to offer a wide range of economic benefits. However, unlocking this potential will require a responsible and co-coordinated approach to ensure that potential safety issues are being addressed at the same time as the technology is developing. As a part of the Chemical Programme, this programme focuses on the implications of the use of nanomaterials for human health and environment safety, focussing on testing and assessment methods.

What's new

List of Manufactured Nanomaterials and List of Endpoints for Phase One of the OECD Testing Programme

03-Jun-2008

OECD’s Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials launched a “sponsorship programme” at its 3rd meeting (November 2007). Countries  will share the testing of specific nanomaterials (MNs) under this programme. Much valuable information on the safety of MNs can be derived by testing a representative set for human health and environmental safety.  In launching this “sponsorship programme” the Working Party agreed a priority list of MNs for testing (based on materials which are in or close to commerce) as well as a list of endpoints for which they should be tested. 

The International Workshop on Documentary Standards for Measurement and Characterization in Nanotechnologies

21-Apr-2008

The International Workshop on Documentary Standards for Measurement and Characterisation in Nanotechnologies was held 26-28 February 2008 at National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg (USA), in co-ordination with ISO, IEC, NIST and the OECD. The participants discussed the development, efficacy, harmonisation and uptake of documentary standards broadly relevant to the field of measurement and characterisation for nanotechnologies. The summary, as well as the presentations provided during the workshop, is available by clicking on the link. 

Current Developments/ Activities in Manufactured Nanomaterials, Paris, France, 28-30 November 2007

18-Apr-2008

This document provides information on current/planned activities related to the safety of manufactured nanomaterials in OECD member and non-member countries.  Information was provided by delegations who participated in the 3rd Meeting of OECD's Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials.  There are also reports on relevant current activities in some International Organisations.

Nanotechnologies at the OECD

26-Feb-2008

The OECD has prepared an overview of its work on nanotechnologies for Forum VI of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS).  This event will be held in Dakar, Senegal, 15-19 September 2008.   The document, "Nanotechnologies at the OECD", is available in EnglishFrench  and Russian.

International Symposium on the Risk Assessment of Manufactured Nanomaterials

22-Feb-2008

The OECD will take part in an thhis symposium which will be held on 23 April 2007 in Tokyo, Japan. A two-day OECD WPMN meeting - OECD Workshop on the Sponsorship Programme for the Testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials - will follow this event to discuss the sponsorship programme for the testing of manufactured nanomaterials.

New publication from the European Union

21-Feb-2008

The European Union has released a publication on nanotechnology research funding addressing potential health and environmental impacts of nanoparticles: EU nanotechnology R&D in the field of health and environmental impact of nanoparticles

Manufactured Nanomaterials: Programme of Work 2006-2008

19-Feb-2008

This Programme of Work on Manufactured Nanomaterials 2006-2008 was agreed in September 2006 September by OECD’s Chemicals Committee. To implement this work the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) was established. The Terms of Reference for the WPMN are found in Annex II.

Testing a Representative Set of Nanomaterials – The Launch of a Sponsorship Programme

04-Dec-2007

OECD’s Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials, has launched a “sponsorship programme” in which countries will share the testing of specific nanomaterials (MNs).  Much valuable information on the safety of MNs can be derived by testing a representative set for human health and environmental safety.  In launching this “sponsorship programme” the Working Party agreed a priority list of MNs for testing (based on materials which are in or close to commerce) as well as a list of endpoints for which they should be tested.  The OECD will be making regular updates on this programme.

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OECD work on Manufactured Nanomaterials

This powerpoint presentation shows the current OECD activities in the Manufactured Nanomaterials programme.

General Presentation: Nano activities

Here you will find the webpages for the OECD's Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry's work on nanotechnology

OECD's Working Party on Nanotechnology

Focus

Publications in the Series

Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials

Other Articles and Documents

This article appeared in the internal OECD publication "@tmosphere".