Industry slams EU nano register

Following a three-month consultation which closed on Tuesday, the EU is now considering response to its various proposals aimed “increasing transparency” in the European nanomaterials market.

The proposals range in stringency from “do nothing” to an EU Regulation on a nanomaterials registry that would require manufacturers and importers to submit substance identity information and annual production figures for nanomaterials produced in quantities over 100 grams a year and say how they are used.

A new register does not guarantee better safety, nor increase consumer trust and confidence

CIA consultation response

Theses rules could even go as far as requiring operators to submit a separate declaration for each use of a nano-substance, mixture or article. This would mean that downstream users of nanomaterials would have to submit a new declaration every time they put a new nanomaterial-containing mixture or article on the market.

The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) today published its response to the consultation, claiming that the proposals would “confuse an already clear situation”.

“CIA 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,” says the CIA response.

“A new register does not guarantee better safety, nor increase consumer trust and confidence. 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. In addition, the cost of such a register would most probably be borne by consumers thereby entailing increased prices for value chains in the EU versus non-EU markets.”

CIA head of health Roger Pullin added that nanomaterials should be regarded the same as any other substance and subjected to the EU’s existing Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations.

“CIA believes that, as for any other chemical, consumer trust can be gained through good implementation of current European legislation provided that this is explained well to the public,” said Pullin.

“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.”

The final impact assesment of the proposals, conducted for the EU by Norfolk-based consultancy Risk & Policy Analysts, is expected to be published in October.