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Nanotechnology

Nanofabrication process of a polymer prepared with colloidal lithography in order to produce a sensor for the study of protein interaction © EC (2009)Nanotechnology is an emerging technology increasingly exploited in the development of novel and improved products in areas as diverse as medicine, biotechnology, electronics, materials science and energy technologies.

The rapid increase in the use of nanoparticles in consumer products and industrial manufacturing processes is, however, raising questions about the potential effects on health and the environment and what the risks and benefits are.

The Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) is actively involved in research into nanomaterials safety, identification and detection. In particular it focuses on a science-based understanding of nanomaterial properties and effects, alongside development of improved measurement and testing methods.

The Institute is progressively building up a nanomaterials repository and a database of test and research results. It is important that the EU's legislative actions concerning nanotechnology are based on sound information and scientific judgment.

This work is undertaken in close collaboration with the Member States, universities, research institutions and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN).

 

Contact:

JRC-IHCP-NANOTECHNOLOGY@ec.europa.eu

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News: Highlights
Major EU regulatory tool enhanced with JRC reporting forms - Apr 17, 2013
JRC scientists contribute to the synthesis of radiolabelled gold nanoparticle aerosols for rodent inhalation and translocation studies - Mar 28, 2013
JRC scientists introduce "representative test materials" - Mar 21, 2013
New experiments at the JRC Cyclotron on the production of Rhodium-105 from enriched Ruthenium-104 - Feb 20, 2013
Flame retardant materials: JRC-IHCP is partner of the 3-year FP7 project DEROCA - Feb 14, 2013
Radiolabelled silver nanoparticles synthesized at the JRC Cyclotron - Feb 06, 2013
JRC Technical Report and Presentations now available: Symposium 'Safety issues and regulatory challenges of nanomaterials', May 2012 - Jan 25, 2013
Live Webstreaming 30.01 9h30-16h30 CET: Workshop on the Second Regulatory Review on Nanomaterials - Jan 30, 2013
JRC scientists investigate toxicity of gold nanoparticles - Jan 23, 2013
Krzysztof Maruszewski new Director of JRC-IHCP as from 01 January 2013 - Jan 10, 2013
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News: Publications
Updated list of materials in the JRC Nanomaterials Repository - Oct 27, 2011
The JRC MC40 Cyclotron and nanoparticle activation - Jul 04, 2011
Poster: Support to policy - Nanotechnology - Part 2 - Jun 16, 2011
Poster: Support to policy - Nanotechnology - Part 1 - Jun 16, 2011
E. Anklam: "Bridging Science and Policy to Support Innovation and Consumers’ Acceptance of Nanotechnology" - Jun 16, 2011
Updated list of materials in the JRC Nanomaterials Repository - May 26, 2011
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News: Multimedia
Watch our videoclip "Small materials, big impact" - Oct 17, 2011
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Deliverables: Reports
JRC Technical Report and Presentations: Symposium 'Safety issues and regulatory challenges of nanomaterials', May 2012 - Feb 02, 2013 - Jan 02, 2013
JRC report " Requirements on measurements for the implementation of the European Commission definition of the term 'nanomaterial'" - Sep 17, 2012
Joint JRC-EASAC Report "Impact of engineered nanomaterials on health: considerations for benefit-risk assessment" - Oct 18, 2011
Summary Report - Joint JRC Nano Event and 2nd ENPRA Stakeholders Workshop 2011 - Jan 10, 2011
Report of Workshop "Early Harvest of Research Results on Nanosafety" - Sep 13, 2010
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