The European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) has launched the first European repository of nanomaterials that contains a representative range of 25 different types of reference nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes, silver nanoparticles, titanium dioxide, cerium oxide, zinc oxide, bentonite, gold and silicon dioxide. The goal of the repository is to support safety assessment in order to ensure consumer protection and confidence in nanotechnology. Standardized methodologies and materials will enable globally comparable test results and provide reliable data for policy and regulatory decision-making. Elke Anklam, Director of the JRC Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP), said “This unique repository fosters standardisation in safety assessment and facilitates innovation by creating a common and consistent measurement framework for all stakeholders. This will both support international harmonisation bodies for standardising risk assessment as well as EU policy makers for regulatory issues.” The article can be viewed online at the link below.
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/index.cfm?id=2300&obj_id=2950&dt_code=PRL&lang=en