The closure of the EPA's Office of Research and Development and the gutting of the NIOSH Nano Center are raising serious concerns about gaps in US health, safety, and environmental guidance for nanomaterials.
NIA is considering a dedicated initiative on carbon nanotubes and fibres in Europe, responding to mounting difficulties members are facing with regulators in this area.
Upcoming NIA position papers will address conflicting approaches within the European Commission on advanced materials and the implications of the proposed one substance, one assessment framework for nanomaterials.
5th NIA Regulatory Committee Meeting
Sean Kelly
2 min read
Summary
The NIA’s Regulatory Committee held its 5th meeting on 12th May. The Committee is continuing its work on the NIA’s Handbook on the Global Status of Regulatory Definitions of Nanomaterials and Their Implementation. The handbook is being updated to help members understand the different definitions of nanomaterials used in various countries, assisting them with regulatory compliance. It will also be used to define the NIA’s position on advocating for greater harmonization around the definition of nanomaterials.
The Committee received updates from its members on the current situation in the US regarding changes in various government departments and agencies. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has closed its Office of Research and Development, and the NIOSH Nano Center has been closed, with NIOSH losing most of its staff. This may potentially impact some of the previous advice on health, safety, and environmental (HSE) issues for nanomaterials that had been published by these agencies.
