A Focus on Physicochemical Characterization

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Nanomaterials Repository hosts a representative selection of industrially relevant nanomaterials (NMs), including those investigated in large-scale international research initiatives. Each NM is produced as a single large batch and sub-sampled into individual vials, ensuring the availability of well-characterized and consistent representative materials for scientific activities. Its value is demonstrated in more than 386 scientific publications (2011–2024) that have made use of materials from the JRC Repository. At present, the Repository provides essential support to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) funded NAMs4NANO project, supplying characterized, pristine, real-world materials to the consortium under the framework of the JRC–EFSA collaboration agreement on food and feed safety. The results of NAMs4NANO will contribute to the ongoing update of the EFSA Guidance on the Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials and Small Particles in the Food and Feed Chain. The updated guidance extends the scope of risk assessment beyond the conventional nanoscale (1–100 nm) to include particles up to 250 nm, recognizing their potential to traverse gastrointestinal barriers and trigger additional testing requirements. The characterization of pristine nanomaterial powders provides a physical-chemical baseline for subsequent biological testing. In the NAMs4NANO project, these materials are assessed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions to study dissolution, and degradation processes relevant to determining the need for nanospecific risk assessments. A key objective of the updated EFSA guidance is to further integrate New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) into hazard assessment frameworks for nanomaterials. The variability of real-world NMs, such as differences in size, shape, impurities, as well as unintentional surface coatings might challenge the performance of NAMs. The NAMs4NANO project is conducting case studies to evaluate the reliability and applicability of NAMs when tested with real world materials. The inclusion of real-world materials, e.g., pesticides and food additives, in the JRC Nanomaterials Repository provides an additional set of representative materials that strengthen the scientific foundation for food safety policy implementation. This resource will enhance regulatory science capacity by supporting the standardization of testing methods and promoting the harmonization of risk assessment approaches for nanomaterials and small particles. By fostering consistency and comparability across studies, it will improve the reliability of safety evaluations, reinforce consumer protection, and facilitate the effective implementation of European and international food safety policies.

PONTI Jessica;  BOGNI Alessia;  FUMAGALLI Francesco;  CUBADDA Francesco;  HAASE Andrea;  MAST Jan;  QUINTERO PULIDO Diego;  SALVI Laura;  SIEG Holger;  SZCZUKA Conrad;  VERLEYSEN Evelin;  BREMER-HOFFMANN Susanne; 

2026-04-23

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC145917

978-92-68-38820-4 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40667,    OP KJ-01-26-135-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC145917,   

10.2760/3200936 (online),