Chemicals

Materials and devices on a minuscule scale – nanomaterials – find application in hundreds of products such as electronics, medicines, cosmetics, cars. They have the huge potential to improve the quality of life but also pose risks to the environment and raise health and safety concerns.

 Nanotechnologies – producing those nanomaterials – are identified as one of the Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) contributing to the industrial competitiveness in Europe.

The EU has currently no specific legislation on nanotechnologies, but the European Commission has developed several instruments for implementation - like standards - to reinforce nanotechnologies/nanomaterials requirements in existing legislations (e.g. REACH). Through mandate M/461, the European Commission has request CEN to develop deliverables that could be considered in some ways supporting forthcoming European Directive(s). Therefore, some aspects of the standardization work may be associated with regulation in the future.

CEN/TC 352 'Nanotechnologies' develops standards on classification, terminology and nomenclature, metrology and instrumentation, test methods modelling and simulation and more, related to nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. The TC works closely with the international committee ISO/TC 229 'Nanotechnologies' and has published more than 15 EN ISO documents, addressing topics of global relevance and avoiding the duplication of work at European and international level.

The steep growth in applications of nanotechnologies across a wide range of technological sectors requires the laying down of a considerable supporting infrastructure, which must include technical standards relating to the products and processes concerned. European Standards allow to open the way for innovative products and new markets, as well as to protect the health and safety of citizens.