Nanotechnology - Your Online Guide
What is NICNAS doing in Nanomaterials?
Nanomaterials, when used as industrial chemicals, fall within the remit
of NICNAS. NICNAS is engaging with the National Nanotechnology Strategy
via a cross-portfolio working group on health, safety and environment
(HSE) issues, and is examining nanotechnology to determine if and how
NICNAS needs to adapt its legislation and processes to ensure the safe
and sustainable use of industrial chemicals that contain nanomaterials.
To this end, NICNAS is engaged in such activities as:
-
Determining the volumes and types of nanomaterials
that are being used within Australia as industrial chemicals via a
voluntary call for information directed to industry;
-
Keeping abreast of, and influencing, international
developments in nanomaterials by active participation in the
OECD
Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials;
-
Creation of a NICNAS Nanotechnology Advisory Group
to advise on strategic directions NICNAS might take in addressing
the potential impacts of nanomaterials as industrial chemicals;
-
Determining if NICNAS legislation and associated
regulations are adequate to managing any HSE challenges that
nanomaterials might pose;
-
The government released an independent report
examining the ability of Australia's regulatory frameworks to
respond to the introduction of nanotechnology products on 11 July
2008. At the same time, the Government issued the "Australian
Government Approach to the Responsible Development of Nanotechnology".
These documents and a media release can be
found on the Ministers for Innovation, Industry, Science and
Research Australian Government website;
and
-
On-going reform of its chemicals programs to
ensure they remain at the forefront of international best practice
and are readily adaptable to emerging challenges in industrial
chemicals regulation, including the challenge of nanotechnology.
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