Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology involves the production or use of nano-sized particles or substances. These are miscroscopic. One nano is equivalent to one billionth of a metre and the nano-range is generally accepted as extending to particles up to 100 nanos in size.
The application of nanotechnology is already seen in a variety of industrial sectors:
- pharmaceuticals
- cosmetics
- aerospace
- energy
- construction
- transport
- defence
Regulatory controls
At present there is no EU or UK framework legislation that is addressed specifically to nanotechnologies. However, a wide range of regulatory controls are relevant, or potentially relevant, to such technologies.
The existing categories of regulatory controls include:
- controls on the entry of new substances onto the market (for example, the EU Regulation on Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals, which is concerned with the registration and assessment of chemical substances may include substances consisting of or including nano-size particles).
- requirements placed on employers to assess the risks of exposure to harmful substances in the workplace, for example, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) which are concerned with the control of exposure to harmful chemicals.
- producer responsibility requirements, such as regulations prohibiting or restricting the use of certain prescribed substances.
- consumer protection regulations, to control the entry of products onto the market place to ensure consumer safety.
- anti-pollution regulations, for example, the Water Resources Act 1991 which makes it an offence to cause or knowingly permit the entry to controlled waters of any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter other than in accordance with a consent.
- controls on waste-related activities, such as waste disposal and recovery activities regulated under Directive 2006/12/EC.
Future regulation
Scientific uncertainty and public insecurity surrounding the development and application of nanotechnologies are leading to increased scrutiny of and questioning as to the adequacy of existing regulatory controls.