Nanomaterials register 'would confuse'

As part of its response to today’s EU consultation on nanomaterials, the CIA has outlined several key solutions - highlighting the fact that a new register will neither guarantee better safety, nor increase consumer trust and confidence.

The CIA has also stated that it does not recognise a need for a register for nanomaterials, as they are similar to other chemical/substance forms for which Europe is already heavily regulated.

“Nanomaterials should be regarded as any other substance

CIA head of health Roger Pullin

Asking for notification to a register for nanomaterials would create a burden on that specific industry producing, importing or using such substances when competing with other non-nanomaterial substances, the CIA says.

According to the CIA, an EU register for nanomaterials could also end up costing the consumers, leading to increased prices for value chains in the EU versus non-EU markets.

CIA head of health Roger Pullin said: “Nanomaterials should be regarded as any other substance. In this context, as required by REACH for instance, data must be gathered by industry in order to perform risk assessments and ensure safe use of the products that are placed on the market.”

Pullin says that consumer trust can be gained through good implementation of current European legislation provided that this is explained well to the public.

“We propose that the existing European Commission’s Joint Research Centre web platform on nanomaterials be expanded to include information in the public domain for notifications of nanomaterials to all current regulatory schemes - this would help to increase transparency and bring reassurance to all stakeholders,” Pullin said.