- Project number: F 2512
- Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
- Status: Completed Project
Description:
Safe use of nanomaterials requires tailored analytical methods as well as data interpretation procedures. Existing test guidelines cannot always be applied to nanomaterials. It is therefore necessary to review existing test guidelines and where applicable adapt or develop new test guidelines for regulatory purposes.
The NanoHarmony project involved generation, gathering and use of data and information about testing of nanomaterials in order to provide a scientific basis for the development of 8 new test guidelines and guidance documents. This was done in close collaboration with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the Malta Initiative (MI), nanomaterials manufacturers and the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN).
BAuA coordinated the project and contributed to the development of a test guideline for the determination of nanomaterial dustiness. The correct determination of the fraction of respirable fibres in a released aerosol provides important information for risk assessment in the workplace, allowing safe handling of these substances.
In addition, the project was successful in building up a permanent network of all relevant stakeholders. With the help of this network and the basic principles of the processes already tested in the project, necessary test guidelines can nowadays be developed or adapted more quickly and in a targeted manner. The central results and the legacy of the NanoHarmony project can be accessed via the NanoHarmony Process Mentor webpage.
In the EU Horizon 2020 project NanoHarmony, 14 European partners from research, industry and public authorities were working together. Further 18 international associated partners from Australia, Asia, Africa and North America were actively involved in this project. They provided important scientific input to the OECD Test Guidelines and facilitated their acceptance in the OECD.
BAuA's work with regard to the development of necessary OECD Test Guidelines for innovative materials and their coordination, is being continued in collaboration with the Malta Initiative and other EU projects (MACRAMÉ).