The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released new standards this month for determining the toxicity and environmental impacts of nanoparticles. Released from data collected by the OECD’s materials testing program, which has been going on for approximately a decade, the guidelines detail two inhalation toxicity studies that can be conducted on rodents over either 28 days or 90 days, as well as a study examining methods to measure the dispersal of nanoparticles in the environment. As the guidelines have been accepted by all OECD member countries, researchers can conduct a test in an OECD country and be able to use the data in other OECD jurisdictions around the world, reducing costs and resources that are usually required to meet regulatory requirements.

Simultaneously in Europe, the European Commission recently released a proposal on adapting REACH regulations so that they are more specific in regards to nanomaterials, and are in the midst of a consultation to determine the exact definition of a “nanoform” in the context of REACH guidelines.

Source: Chemistry World