The new definition of nanomaterials in food definitively approved in mid-May?
The European Commission has just adopted its new definition of “nanomaterials” in the Novel Foods Regulation. But it’s not all over yet. Between now and mid-May, the European Parliament and the Council can vote objections, and one (or more) Member State(s) can also bring an action for annulment. Suspense then! AVICENN will keep a close eye on this dossier and update the information below as it becomes available…
The new definition was adopted by the Commission on March 14.
The European Commission announced today on its dedicated website that it has adopted a delegated act to modify the definition of the term “nanomaterial” in its food legislation, two months after the end of its consultation on the subject.
As a reminder, depending on the definition adopted, many ingredients could in future no longer be covered by the labelling obligation [nano], even though they contain nanoparticles, some of which are potentially dangerous for consumers.
More news soon…
AVICENN (who had responded to the consultation1 Click here to read our contribution posted on January 12, 2024 on the Commission’s website as well as other NGOs, ANSES, the French authorities, etc.) is awaiting the final version of the text adopted today, and will update this article shortly.
It’s not all over yet. Between now and mid-May, the European Parliament and the Council can vote objections, and one (or more) Member State(s) can also bring an action for annulment.
To be continued…
[Update: on April 24, the European Parliament voted an objection. See our article on this vote which invalidates the Commission’s delegated act.]
Les prochains RDV nano
- Workshop on risk assessment of nanomaterials and materials containing small/nanoparticles in the food and feed chain
- Organizer: EFSA
- This workshop will present the proposed strategy for updating the EFSA Nano Guidance documents, aiming to merge them into a single guidance on risk assessment for nanomaterials and small/nanoparticles in the food and feed chain.
The event will provide an open platform for discussing key issues, approaches to addressing them, and ensuring the guidance reflects the latest scientific knowledge. Stakeholders will be encouraged to share experiences and engage with regulators, helping shape the updated guidance. - Website: www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/workshop-risk-assessment-nanomaterials-and-materials-containing-smallnanoparticles-food-and
- This course is designed for engineers or senior technicians working in the field of micro and nanotechnologies in public or industrial laboratories, who need to solve problems related to controlling the properties of materials at the nanometric scale during their development and/or integration into devices.
- Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
- June 17 to July 3, 2025
- Website: https: //instn.cea.fr/formation/nano-caracterisation-pour-letude-des-materiaux-et-structures
- Joint Regulatory Risk Assessors Summit
- Organizers: the Horizon Europe projects ACCORDs, iCare, MACRAMÉ, and nanoPASS
- Object: Addressing the needs of industry and regulators in assessing the safety and sustainability of advanced materials
- Location: OECD
- Website: https://icareproject.eu/…advanced-materials
Notes and references
- 1Click here to read our contribution posted on January 12, 2024 on the Commission’s website