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Today, the European Commission published its much awaited Recommendation on a definition for nanomaterials.
The definition reads "Nanomaterials means a natural, incidental or manufactured material containing particles, in an unbound state or as an aggregate or as an agglomerate and where, for 50% or more of the particles in the number size distribution, one or more external dimensions is in the size range 1nm-100nm".
The intention is that this definition will be applied in all EU laws related to nanomaterials such as cosmetics, food, electronic products, food contact materials and general chemicals (REACH).
The Recommendation specifies that the definition may not be readily usable in pharma and medical devices legislation.
It is further specified that EU legislation may establish risk management requirements for nanomaterials in some cases, exempting some of them from its scope and in other cases extending their application to materials to a size smaller than 1nm or greater than 100nm.
Link to EU Commission's communication.
For further information, please contact the EU Regulatory Team in the Brussels office.