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Nanomaterial Safety: The Regulators' Dilemma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Nico Jaspers
Nico Jaspers*
Affiliation:
London School of Economics, United Kingdom
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Abstract

This section is meant to give readers an insight into the emerging field of nanotechnologies and risk regulation. It informs and updates readers on the latest European and international developments in nanotechnologies and risk regulation across different sectors (e.g., chemicals, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals) and policy areas (e.g., environmental protection, occupational health and consumer product, food and drug safety). The section analyzes how existing regulatory systems deal with new kinds of risks and reviews recent regulatory developments with a focus on how best to combine scientific freedom and technological progress with a responsible development and commercialization of nanotechnologies.

Type
Reports
Information
European Journal of Risk Regulation , Volume 1 , Issue 3 , September 2010 , pp. 270 - 274
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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References

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4 The OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) publishes an annual update of regulatory and risk assessment activities in participating countries. This document as well as reports on other activities by the WPMN can be found on the Internet at <http://www.oecd.org/document/53/0,3343,en_2649_37015404_37760309_1_1_1_1,00.html> (last accessed on 9 July 2010).

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6 See Diana Bowman, Joel D'Silva and Geert van Calster, “Defining Nanomaterials for the Purpose of Regulation within the European Union”, 2(1) European Journal of Risk Regulation (2010), pp. 115–122.

7 See, for example, European Parliament (2009), “European Parliament Resolution of 24 April 2009 on Regulatory Aspects of Nanomaterials”, 2008/2208 (INI); European Parliament (2009), “Novel Foods, MEPs Set New Rules”, European Parliament Press Release 25 March 2009, available on the Internet at <http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=EN&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20090324IPR52497> (last accessed on 9 July 2010); FDA (2007), “Nanotechnology Task Force Report”, Department of Health and Human Services; EPA (2007), “Nanotechnology White Paper”, Office of the Science Advisor, Science Policy Council; European Commission (2010), “Considerations on a Definition of Nanomaterial for Regulatory Purposes”, JRC Reference Report.

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9 For a review of the link between carbon nanotubes and mesothelioma, see Kristen M. Kulinowski, “Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Mesothelioma”, An ICON Backgrounder (2009), available on the Internet at <http://icon.rice.edu/resources.cfm?doc_id=12299> (last accessed on 9 July 2010).

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19 Ira Bennett and Daniel Sarewitz, “Too Little, Too Late? Research Policies on the Societal Implications of Nanotechnology in the United States”, supra note 16, p. 314.

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21 At the European Commission's 2008 “Safety for Success” conference.

22 See, for example, the EU's new “Cosmetics Regulation” (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), p. 61.