Nanomaterial regulatory policy for human health and environment

[摘要] The world today is enhanced by imposing trade regulations on various chemicals including nanomaterials. In particular, nanomaterials have different physicochemical property unlike general chemicals, it has become a controversial issue due to concerns related to human health and environment. Due to the potential risks of nanomaterials, most developed countries have actively joined members of international organizations (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (OECD WPMN), International Organization for Standardization / Technical Committee 229 (ISO/TC 229), Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals Annex (REACH Annex), etc.). These international organizations have been making nanomaterial test guidelines and standardization work. There are also strengthened by trade regulations that ensure the safe distribution of nanomaterials. Representatives of the EPA’s FIFRA have been collecting information about and carrying out the conditional registration of nano-silver products. Alternatively, The Korean government is taking action internationally by being an active member of the OECD and ISO. Considering nanotechnology and nano-safety, The Korean government is planning to control domestic polices such as the nano-safety management plan and Korea REACH (in addition to their international activities). However, despite all these efforts, the Republic of Korean market does not have nano-regulations related to the uses of industries and consumer products of nanomaterials. Such nano-regulations should be implemented in consumer products as soon as possible. Herein, we investigated recent trends concerning the domestic and foreign policies of nanomaterials, which should be utilized in the nano-safety plans of each country. This paper prepares relevant nanomaterial policies and presents the worldwide regulations that concern nanomaterials.

[学科分类] 分子生物学，细胞生物学和基因

[关键词] EU REACH