ECHA has published the results of a major project examining how nanoforms can be grouped for regulatory purposes under REACH. Led by Blue Frog Scientific, the work proposes scientific criteria and a decision-tree framework to support more consistent assessment of nanoform similarity.
ECHA Publishes Findings on Nanoform Sameness and Grouping
NIA Staff
1 min read
Summary
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published the results of its project Nanomaterial Risk Assessment: A Regulatory Way Forward for Sameness and Grouping Approaches, coordinated by NIA member Blue Frog Scientific.
The study examined how acceptable variation between nanoforms could be determined under REACH and explored scientific criteria for assessing whether different nanoforms may be considered sufficiently similar for regulatory purposes. A key outcome is an exploratory decision-tree framework that proposes thresholds for a range of nanoform characterisation parameters.
The work provides an important foundation for a more consistent and scientifically robust approach to assessing nanoform identity and grouping under REACH. In the longer term, the findings could help support more efficient registration and risk assessment processes while maintaining regulatory confidence in safety evaluations.
