Commission Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial

Summary:

Recommendation adopted by the European Commission on 10 June 2022, concerning a definition of nanomaterial. This is a text with EEA relevance.

Further information:

Commission Recommendation 2011/696/EU has been applied as a reference for determining whether a material should be considered a nanomaterial for legislative and policy purposes in the European Union (EU), supporting efficient and consistent implementation across sectors.

Between 2013 and 2021, the  European Commission carried out a review of the Recommendation, addressing the objective, scope, clarity and use of its definition of nanomaterial. Technical and scientific elements underpinning the review of the definition were summarised and published in a report produced by the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The JRC also published two reports providing guidance on the implementation of the definition.

Elements for possible modifications were subject of a targeted stakeholder consultation in May-June 2021. Information received during that consultation was considered in the Commission's review. The results of both the review and the consultation, as well as the description of the modifications made and their rationale are explained in the accompanying Staff Working Document.