| With the increase in nano related products in the market and the establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, the question of safety becomes an even bigger concern for the consumer. In a recent Asian-Pacific Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety (Vol 19, number 3, December 2012), Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, NANOTEC Executive Director emphasized that the number of products currently on the market containing nanomaterials as the critical component or uses nanotechnology in crucial manufacturing process will increase from 1% to 10% in the coming decade. This is a significant increase and one which needs public attention as this may have impact on everyday life.
To give priority to this topic, NANOTEC joined the NSTDA Annual Conference 2013 (NAC 2013) to organize a seminar at Thailand Science Park under the theme “Nano-Characterization and Testing Service for AEC”. The seminar looks at nanoscale analytical testing, regulations of nanoproducts, testing techniques, metrological at nanoscale, and the approach to using NanoQ in Thailand. Over 150 participants from public, academia, and private sector attended the seminar. |
| “The AEC landscape is quite complex given the fact that there are more people, more competition, more movement of capital and technology, and more movement of human resources” said Dr. Chainarong Cherdchu, Senior Advisor at NANOTEC. “The importance of having conformity of standards and quality especially in measurement will be an important topic once AEC comes of age. Therefore, it is necessary that we all become aware and understands exactly what is involved”.
NanoQ label also took front stage with a presentation by Mr. Por Punyaratabandhu, Chairman of NanoQ Label, Nanotechnology Association of Thailand. The talk entitled “The Practical Approach: NanoQ” provides information on the benefits of NanoQ label to 4 private sector groups: ceramic, plastic, textile, and paints. The first NanoQ label was presented in September 2012 to Supreme Products Co.,Ltd. The NanoQ label certified that the paint formulation produced by Supreme Product for use in coating the inside of the ambulance contains silver nano particles that have characteristics of anti bacteria. The testing of the paint formulation samples was performed by researchers at Nano Characteristic Lab at NANOTEC. This certification is good for 2 years. Since then, the association has received interest from various companies inquiring about the application for NanoQ label for their product. 
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