Technological watch
/jrc/en/science-update/contributing-greener-eu-safe-and-sustainable-nanomaterials-design-stage
The JRC and DG Research & Innovation promote for the very first time the concept of 'Safe- and Sustainable-by-Design' in nanotechnology in order to support key European policy goals: the Green Deal, the Circular Economy and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
Materials and products should be safe for humans and the environment and fit for a climate-neutral, circular and resource efficient economy. At the same time, they should have optimal properties and functionality through their life cycle.
The JRC and DG Research & Innovation published the first scientific article that calls on innovators, scientists and authorities to further develop and promote 'Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design' as a new concept towards safe and sustainable innovation in nanotechnology.
The example of smart nanomaterialsNanotechnology is a key enabling technology and has great potential for addressing societal challenges including energy supply and health care.
Nanomaterials are chemicals or materials consisting of particles with very small sizes in the nanometre range. One nanometre fits a billion times in a metre.
Significant advancements have been made over the last decade in understanding the environmental and toxicological behaviour of nanomaterials.
However, some questions concerning their safety and sustainability remain open. This is especially true for advanced nanomaterials, due to their complexity and dynamic behaviour.
The article reviews the state of play for safe innovation for a specific group of advanced nanomaterials, called "smart nanomaterials".
These advanced nanomaterials actively respond to external stimuli, such as changes in temperature, pH, light or chemical environment. We find them in food, food packaging, cosmetics and agriculture.
“Our review shows that existing regulatory frameworks are not fully prepared to address such challenges”, explain the authors. “There is a need to further develop a safe and sustainable approach at the design stage of product development in nanotechnology in order to reduce the risk those nanomaterials could pose to human health and the environment.”
Safe- and Sustainable-by-Design (SSBD). Materials and products should be safe (for humans and the environment), fit for a climate-neutral, circular and resource efficient economy and have optimal properties and functionality through their life cycle
Materials and products should be safe for humans and the environment and fit for a climate-neutral, circular and resource efficient economy. At the same time, they should have optimal properties and functionality through their life cycle.
The JRC and DG Research & Innovation published the first scientific article that calls on innovators, scientists and authorities to further develop and promote 'Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design' as a new concept towards safe and sustainable innovation in nanotechnology.
The example of smart nanomaterialsNanotechnology is a key enabling technology and has great potential for addressing societal challenges including energy supply and health care.
Nanomaterials are chemicals or materials consisting of particles with very small sizes in the nanometre range. One nanometre fits a billion times in a metre.
Significant advancements have been made over the last decade in understanding the environmental and toxicological behaviour of nanomaterials.
However, some questions concerning their safety and sustainability remain open. This is especially true for advanced nanomaterials, due to their complexity and dynamic behaviour.
The article reviews the state of play for safe innovation for a specific group of advanced nanomaterials, called "smart nanomaterials".
These advanced nanomaterials actively respond to external stimuli, such as changes in temperature, pH, light or chemical environment. We find them in food, food packaging, cosmetics and agriculture.
“Our review shows that existing regulatory frameworks are not fully prepared to address such challenges”, explain the authors. “There is a need to further develop a safe and sustainable approach at the design stage of product development in nanotechnology in order to reduce the risk those nanomaterials could pose to human health and the environment.”
Safe- and Sustainable-by-Design (SSBD). Materials and products should be safe (for humans and the environment), fit for a climate-neutral, circular and resource efficient economy and have optimal properties and functionality through their life cycle
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
The website reflects only the author's view. The Commission is not responsible for any use thay may be made of the information it contains.Last update: 2022-01-31
