Rhiannon Smith is an geologist with experience in REACH-related technical areas including data review and assessment, robust summary preparation and data gap analysis.
-
SETAC workshop on the synthesis, characterisation, ecotoxicity, hazard and risk assessment of engineered nanoparticles
At the beginning of January, I attended a three day SETAC “summer-school” entitled ‘The synthesis, characterisation, ecotoxicity, and hazard and risk assessment of engineered nanoparticles’. The workshop was run in the School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences at Plymouth University and provided a practical overview of the chemistry, biology, and risk assessment process for nanomaterials. It consisted of a series of lectures, which ranged from the colloid chemistry, bioavailability and ecotoxicity of nanoparticles to risk assessment and policy issues, and practical sessions in the laboratory to make, characterize, and test nanomaterials.
-
Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials
Pete and I attended the 6th International Meeting on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials in London last week. There appeared to be a general consensus that nanoparticular forms of substances are often no more toxic than their “bulk” or, in the case of metals, ionic, forms.
-
The Regulation of Nanotechnologies under REACH
Early in November, I attended a workshop on nanomaterials “The Regulation of Nanotechnologies under REACH” organized by Mayer Brown and the Nanotechnology Industries Association in London. Despite the tube strike, the workshop was worth attending, highlighting a number of issues regarding nanomaterials.
-
Nanomaterials: Definitions and registrations under REACH
Although a definition has not yet been agreed, the European Commission is expected to recommend that nanomaterials consist of more than 1% particles or internal or external structures with at least one dimension in the range of 1-100 nm or have a specific surface area by volume greater than 60 m2/cm3. The Commission has stated that nanomaterials should be considered as substances, but should be registered under a combined submission with the bulkform where separate EINICs numbers are not available. The combined registrations may have implications for tonnage limits and test and risk assessment methodologies and raises questions regarding the extent to which forms with differing properties can be considered the same substance.
-
National legislation of nanomaterials in the context of REACH
Some lawyers have concluded that there is not a lot of scope for national measures on nanomaterials, as Member States can either subject a given nanomaterial to Authorisation or Restriction under REACH, or adopt a provisional measure. These are usually substance-specific and the burden of proof is on the Member State that the measure meets the conditions for each provision. However, there are arguments that national measures on nanomaterials would not be applicable, as the 2012 REACH Scope Review is expected to address nanomaterials.
-
Nanomaterial Provisions and Compliance under REACH
There are no direct provisions for nanomaterials under REACH and therefore they should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to see which REACH regulations are applicable. Most nanomaterials are manufactured or imported into the EU at less than 1 tonne per year and, unless subject to authorisation or restriction, would not be subject to REACH registration. REACH Implementation Plans on Nanomaterials, covering identification, information requirements and exposure assessment and hazard/risk characterisation, will provide advice to the Commission on the applicability of REACH to nanomaterials. However, the question of whether compliance with REACH is sufficient requires a review of several concepts and pieces of legislation.
-
wca environment meet 2010 REACH deadline for 400 substances
wca are moving forward with a whole range of successful registrations under our belt. We have been involved in REACH registration projects for a wide range of substances, through projects ranging from single substances to over 250 substances split into categories. Having been involved in nearly 400 substance submissions and with the 2010 deadline almost upon us, wca environment are looking to the future, with preliminary work on 2013 and 2018 registrations already underway.
-
Substance Avoidance Lists: What are they and how can you keep track of them?
As our knowledge has increased during the last century, it has become apparent that some ingredients, previously considered to produce a low risk of harm to the user, have unanticipated properties that increase the risk, sometimes beyond the tolerable level. As a consequence some materials have had their use restricted either voluntarily or via regulation. Since knowledge will carry on increasing, manufacturers have a continuing need to be able to identify and take appropriate steps to manage emerging risks. wca environment has built on work previously undertaken in reviewing ingredient avoidance guidelines to produce an ‘avoidance list’ which we will update at regular intervals. The avoidance list is a table of substances which have been considered to be “of concern” under a range of international and national legislation and non-governmental reviews.
