NANoREG framework for the safety assessment of nanomaterials

Abstract

The present document has been developed within the NANoREG project: "A common European approach to the regulatory testing of nanomaterials", funded by the European Union's 7th Framework Programme, under grant agreement n° 310584 (http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/107159_en.html ). This report disseminates the NANoREG framework for the safety assessment of nanomaterials, which has been developed within the project via a collective effort of several partners and is supported by a NANoREG-wide consensus. The NANoREG framework is the project attempt at bringing common understanding in the field of environmental health and safety (EHS) assessment of nanomaterials under the current European regulatory framework focused on REACH. It contributes to the on-going debate on the need to facilitate the implementation of REACH for nanomaterials. It elaborates on the further development, testing and validation of forward-looking approaches, such as Safe-by-Design, a Nanospecific Prioritisation and Risk Assessment and Life Cycle Assessment. The NANoREG partners, including JRC, believe in the usefulness of this framework for scientific experts, regulatory authorities and industry. JRC, as task leader, has coordinated the drafting process. It has edited and published here the document.