Regulations:
There is no specific regulation for any nanomaterials. However, national and European regulations are applicable to nanomaterials. The main European health and safety regulations for the protection of workers include:
- Directive 67/548 – 1999/45: Classification, packaging and labelling of Dangerous substances.
- Directive 98/24/EC on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC).
Health, safety and environmental protection aspects associated with nanomaterials are in principle covered to different levels by current EU regulatory framework.
Standards:
Standardisation and standards provide an important mechanism to support both innovation and the application of regulations. A number of national, European and international organisations are developing standards that either focus on or have sections dealing with the protection of human health and the environment from the production and use of chemicals and consumer products, containing nanomaterials.
Main results
- National and European regulations are applicable to nanomaterials.
- Element of the precautionary principle exists in different regulatory approaches.
- Standardisation and standards provide an important mechanism to support both innovation and the application of regulation.