The European Commission has updated, as of 10 June 2022, the Recommendation 2011/696/EU on the definition of nanomaterial that supports a coherent EU regulatory framework for nanomaterials:
‘Nanomaterial’ means a natural, incidental or manufactured material consisting of solid particles that are present, either on their own or as identifiable constituent particles in aggregates or agglomerates, and where 50 % or more of these particles in the number-based size distribution fulfil at least one of the following conditions:
(a) one or more external dimensions of the particle are in the size range 1 nm to 100 nm;
(b) the particle has an elongated shape, such as a rod, fibre or tube, where two external dimensions are smaller than 1 nm and the other dimension is larger than 100 nm;
(c) the particle has a plate-like shape, where one external dimension is smaller than 1 nm and the other dimensions are larger than 100 nm.
In the determination of the particle number-based size distribution, particles with at least two orthogonal external dimensions larger than 100 μm need not be considered.
However, a material with a specific surface area by volume of < 6 m2/cm3 shall not be considered a nanomaterial.
The Recommendation 2011 applies to “natural, incidental or manufactured” nanomaterials as below described:
- Natural materials occur in the environment without human intervention, as for example volcanic ashes, clay minerals
- Incidental means materials resulting from a human-induced process with a purpose other than producing nanomaterials, as for example combustion processes
- Manufactured materials usually refer to materials made for a specific purpose
Nanomaterials and sustainable innovation
The identification, characterization and quantification of nanomaterials in industrial processes, products and biological media is essential for the protection of environment and human health, as well as crucial to innovate in a responsible and sustainable production, and in the product life cycle.
OUR CAPABILITIES AND ACCREDITATIONS
Our multi-technique approach for the detection and characterisation of nanomaterials:
- Qualitative screening
- Size distribution and morphology
- Surface area (optional)
- Chemical Identification
- Quantification
- Risk assessment (if needed)
INDUSTRIAL SECTORS
- Food and agriculture
- Dietary and food supplements
- Food Contact Materials
- Packaging
- Medical Devices
- Pharmaceuticals
- Cosmetics
- Textile
- Construction materials
- Chemical products
