Posted: February 22, 2008

Manufactured nanomaterials: OECD work program 2006-2008

(Nanowerk News) The OECD has put the Manufactured nanomaterials: OECD work program 2006-2008 document on its website.
In 2006, OECD's Chemicals Committee agreed to a Programme of Work on Manufactured Nanomaterials for 2006-2008 (Annex I of the document). This Programme of Work is addressing human health and environmental safety aspects of manufactured nanomaterials. The Chemicals Committee also established a Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) to implement its programme of work. The Terms of Reference for the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials are found in Annex II of the document.
From the earliest discussions on nanomaterials in the Chemicals Committee, OECD member countries have consistently stressed the need for this work to be as open and transparent as possible. With this in mind, the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) discussed a Communication Strategy at its 3rd meeting in November 2007. One of the outcomes of the discussion was the agreement that this document should be forwarded to OECD's Chemicals Committee with a recommendation that it be declassified and made publicly available.
Following the agreement of the Chemicals Committee, this document is being made available via OECD's nanosafety web site. Since this Programme of Work was agreed, two additional projects have been developed by the WPMN. These projects are:
i) The Role of Alternative Methods in Nano Toxicology; and
ii) Exposure Measurement and Exposure Mitigation.
It should be noted that during 2006-2008, this Programme of Work has evolved considerably. Already, a new Programme of Work is under discussion for 2009-2012. This will be considered by OECD's Chemicals Committee in November 2008. If it is agreed, it will replace this document.
This document is published on the responsibility of the Chemicals Committee.
Source: OECD