MEP Carl Schlyter (Greens), Sweden
MEPs deplore the absence of a proper evaluation of nanomaterials in the European Union. They say nanomaterials potentially present significant new risks due to their size, such as increased reactivity and mobility, possibly leading to increased toxicity in combination with unrestricted access to the human body, and possibly involving quite different mechanisms of interference with the physiology of human and environmental species.
The Parliament calls for the provision of information to consumers on the use of nanomaterials in consumer products: all ingredients present in the form of nanomaterials in substances, mixtures or articles should be clearly indicated in the labelling of the product (e.g. in the list of ingredients, the name of such ingredients should be followed by the word ’nano’ in brackets) on the model of what it will soon be compulsory for cosmetic products.
Thus the report calls specifically on the Commission to evaluate the need to review REACH concerning:
simplified registration for nanomaterials manufactured or imported below one tonne,
consideration of all nanomaterials as new substances,
a chemical safety assessment for all registered nanomaterials, featuring exposure assessment.
MEPs also ask the Commission to evaluate the need to review worker protection legislation, and the development of adequate testing protocols and metrology standards to assess the hazard of, and exposure of workers, consumers and the environment to nanomaterials over their entire life cycle, including in the case of accidents, using a multi- disciplinary approach.
