NIA - Nanotechnology Industries Association

Following the publication of a study suggesting that multi-walled carbon nanotubes follow a ‘fibre paradigm’ (i.e. fibres of a specific aspect ratio (i.e. length/diameter) and morphology can cause the same kind of clinical symptoms as those observed for other fibres of a similar morphology and aspect ratio), Matthew Dalton investigates for The Wall Street Journal, how nanotechnology will be regulated under REACH, the new European chemical legislation that comes into force on the 1st June 2008.

The article, entitled EU to Pace Nanotechnology illustrates both sides of the current debate: Dr Steffi Friedrichs, Director of the Nanotechnology Industries Association is quoted in support of the industry’s position that nanotechnology is safe and will pass the requirements of the new regulatory regime: ‘We are not saying that before REACH, our products were not safe, […] there have always been a lot of requirements for safety in various markets.’ Dr Friedrichs added that ‘the study on carbon nanotubes isn't surprising, and it doesn't mean workers or consumers are at risk. Workers in the industry use protective equipment, while nanotubes used in consumer products are usually embedded in hard materials, preventing them from being inhaled.’

Some environmentalists, however, are concerned that the inclusion of carbon and graphite in ANNEX IV of REACH, which identifies ‘known substances’ that are exempted from the registration, evaluation and downstream user provisions of REACH, would open new ‘loopholes’. A verdict on the submitted applications to add/delete certain substances to/from ANNEX IV is anticipated to be published soon.

The nanotechnology industries remain assured by their occupational and product safety measures throughout the heated debate surrounding the publication of a toxicology study suggesting that multi-walled carbon nanotubes follow a ‘fibre paradigm’ observed - amongst in other fribres - in asbestos. '

'The nanotechnology industry welcomed the findings but cautioned against drawing conclusions from a single study.’ ‘Dr Steffi Friedrichs, Director of the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA) told BBC News. ‘Until now we have not had two studies that showed the same result,’ she adds.

In an interview with Chemistry World Dr Friedrichs adds: ‘It is not surprising that long insoluble fibres of any material should behave in this way - glass wool has similar effects. […] But the study needs to be verified, and the researchers have noted important caveats - for example whether nanotubes can actually get to the place in the body that's going to cause damage.'

The authors of the study support the industries’ safety claims: 'Even if you took a mallet and hammered a tennis racket [containing carbon nanotubes], there's probably no danger because the nanotubes are held in a polymer matrix.’ says Professor Ken Donaldson.

Follow these links to download the full paper (abstract only; full paper available to subscribers only), to read coverage of the study published by BBC News and Chemistry World, or to find out more about the toxicology study.

Registered NIA Members can download additional documents from the ‘Members Only’-area on the NIA website:

Dr Steffi Friedrichs, Director of the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA), comments on the Government’s second research report on manufactured nanomaterials.

"Research into the impact of manufactured nanoparticles on environmental and human health needs to be harmonised on a global level. Like DEFRA, the NIA has representation with the OECD. In this role, the NIA is currently negotiating a public-private partnership that will particularly focus on aligning necessary novel research with already existing knowledge about the environmental, health and safety aspects of manufactured nanoparticles.
“The NIA has been instrumental in creating the Responsible NanoCode, a voluntary code of conduct which, amongst giving other guidance, guarantees the safe handling, use and responsible commercialisation of manufactured nanomaterials, and products containing manufactured nanomaterials, by those that adopt the code. All of the NIA’s member companies can guarantee the safety of their products, and the Responsible NanoCode will extend this guarantee to trade partners up and down the supply chain.”

The ‘Responsible Nano Code’ has been drafted by a working group established by the Royal Society, Insight Investment, the Nanotechnology Industries Association and the Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network.

The aim is to establish an international consensus on what constitutes good practice and to provide guidance on what organisations and businesses can do to demonstrate they are responsibly managing them while the need for further regulation is being evaluated. It is hoped that the voluntary code will contribute to ensuring nanotechnologies achieve their full potential in delivering health, environmental, social and economic benefits at a time when businesses are dealing with technical, social, regulatory and commercial uncertainties concerning these relatively new technologies.
 

This month's issue of The Chemical Engineer featues a guest article by Dr Steffi Friedrichs, Director of the Nanotechnology Industries Association. In the article entited How responsible is your nanotechnology?, Dr Friedrichs sets out the background and principles behind the recently drafted Responsible NanoCode.

Follow this link to download a copy of the latest issues of the TCE (suscribers only).

The Responsible NanoCode, initiated by The Royal Society, Insight Investment, the Nanotechnology Industries Association and the Nanotechnology KTN, and developed by a multi-stakeholder Working Group, made up of international companies, academics with expertise in risk, social, ethical and environmental areas, and representatives from an NGO, a labour union and a consumer group, is today holding a special US Consultation on the first Draft of the Responsible NanoCode. The Consultation is kindly hosted the by Project for Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, in Washington DC.

The Seminar and Public Panel Discussion will start at 12:30 (Washington time, and finish at 14:00); the event will be made available live via webcast.

Follow these links to find out more about the event, to watch the live webcast, or to view the webcast later at your convenience.

CENAMPS, a founder member of the NIA and home of the NIA secretariat, has published a podcast on the Parliamentary Projects website.

Access the podcast to hear Dr Michael Pitkethly, CEO of CENAMPS and Chairman of the NIA, as well as acting CEO of the UK Nanotechnology KTN, explain CENAMPS’ key role in supporting the commercialisation of nanotechnologies throughout the UK and the multitude of projects that CENAMPS is involved in. Follow this link to download or view the podcast.

What can nanotechnology industries do for your business’ quest for environmental sustainability? Find out in this month’s issue of Sustainable Solutions, a bi -monthly UK-based journal, launched in October 2006, which is resource for all UK and European companies who wish to meet their corporate social responsibilities by moving towards sustainable business methods.

Enabled by the Nanotechnology Industries Association, the article (pages 60-61 of the magazine) features a case study of Oxonica’s Envirox fuel-borne catalyst, which is said to deliver savings in fuel consumption of 5%-10%.

‘Nanotechnologies already provide unique solutions for some of mankind’s biggest problems, from the sustainable generation, storage and use of energy, to the supply of clean drinking water and remediation of polluted soil to the improvement of medical care.’ says Dr Steffi Friedrichs, Director of the NIA.

Follow this link to access the Sustainable Solutions website.

This month’s issue of ENDS Europe Report features an article that explores the debate about policies and regulation that surrounds nanotechnology in Europe. The article tries to capture the debate from various different angles, by quoting the – sometimes opposing - opinions of experts and committees.

Dr Steffi Friedrichs, Director of the Nanotechnology Industries Association, stresses that all its members ‘have a policy to have safety come first. […] Products whose safety cannot be sufficiently assessed are not brought to market. […] it is product, not nanoparticle, safety that matters.’

Follow this link to access the ENDS Europe Report and read the full report on page 18.

Today, The Royal Society, Insight Investment, the Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network, and the Nanotechnology Industries Association announced the launch of an initiative to develop a Responsible NanoCode for businesses working with nanotechnologies.

The aim of the Code will be to establish a set of internationally relevant principles which outline good practice for businesses involved in all aspects of these emerging technologies and their applications including research, development, manufacturing, distribution and retailing.

The Responsible NanoCode will be developed by a working group made up of representatives from the Code's four founding partners and a range of organisations including business and non-governmental organisations along with scientists and social scientists.

The working group is joined by Smith & Nephew; Peter Arnold, Group Director of Technology for Smith & Nephew and on the board of the NIA, said: ‘We are delighted to lend our scientific expertise to an initiative aimed at uniting key businesses and organisations behind a code to ensure best practice for the use of these emerging technologies.’