Dealing with Sameness and Similarity Grouping and Read Across of Advanced

NIA Staff
2 min read

How can grouping and read-across approaches support regulatory compliance for graphene and advanced nanomaterials?

ACCORDS and iCARE hosted a focused virtual workshop introducing the principles of grouping and read-across as applied to advanced and nanomaterials. The workshop presented Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATAs) for inhalation and neurotoxicity endpoints in graphene 2D related materials, the linking of biological effects with materials characteristics, and shared the latest results from ECHA's study of sameness — introducing the framework for identifying single nanoforms. There was an opportunity to discuss practical applications of grouping and read-across for companies producing graphene, other 2D materials, or advanced (nano)materials, with a focus on regulatory compliance.

Agenda

  • Presentations

    • Introduction of ECHA funded work to support a framework for identifying single nanoforms (Blue Frog Scientific – Kai Paul)

    • ACCORDS characterization for linking biological effects with the physicochemical characteristics of graphene based 2D materials (University of Ljubljana – Damjana Drobne)

    • iCARE application of grouping approaches with neurotoxicity-related endpoints and graphene 2D materials  (TEMAS Solutions – Elise Morel)

  • Panel Discussion — Limitations and challenges across characterization, biological endpoints, and computational aspects

    • Panelists:

      • Stephen Hodge, CEO, Versarien PLC

      • Virginia Rodriguez Unamuno, European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

      • Wendel Wohlleben, Scientific Director, Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA)

  • Conclusions & Next Steps

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