Nanosilver officially “not approved” as a biocide at European level

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Newsflash
nanosilver ban biocide regulation vigilance

The decision not to approve silver in nano form as a biocide has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) for product types 2, 4 and 9.

From a legal point of view, this decision was taken because of the absence of an application from an industrialist to obtain an authorization to use nano-silver for biocidal purposes1Indeed, manufacturers sometimes do not file (or withdraw or do not renew) an application for a biocide that does not meet the stricter requirements of the new Biocidal Regulation (or for which they feel the cost will be too high to do so). – and not because of the (actual) risks of nano silver for health and/or the environment.

Upcoming Nano Agenda

16
Mars
2026
Metallic nano-objects (MNO 2026, Bordeaux – France)
Bordeaux
Conference

  • International conference on metallic nano-objects for experts working in the interdisciplinary field of metallic nanoparticles, with a particular emphasis on nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, plasmonics, optics and photonics, catalysis, biomedicine, electronics, and nanoparticle recycling
  • Organizers / Partners: CNRS, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux INP, ICMCB, CRPP, CBMN, ISM
  • Website: https://mno2026.sciencesconf.org
26
Mars
2026
How chemicals penetrate the human organism – The example of nanoparticles (ATC, Paris – France)
Paris
Training
  • Toxicokinetics: the fate of chemicals in the body” training course:
    • the different routes of entry for toxic products
    • the importance of toxicokinetics in preventing substance toxicity,
    • xenobiotic absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination
    • nanoparticle toxicity
  • Organizer: Association Toxicologie Chimie (ATC)
  • Date: March 26, 2026
  • Speaker: Nicole Proust (Research Engineer, CNRS Honorary Research Director, Palaiseau)
  • Website: www.atctoxicologie.fr/…
1
Avr.
2026
Controlling the risks associated with nanomaterials (CEA, Online)
On line
Training
  • E-learning program: a 2-hour awareness-raising session aimed at personnel potentially exposed to nanomaterials at the workplace, heads of laboratories or facilities where nanomaterials are handled, safety coordinators or engineers.
  • Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
  • On the program:
    • 1 – Introduction, definition and characteristics of nanomaterials
    • 2 – Toxicity of nanomaterials: the state of knowledge
    • 3 – Metrology and characterization of nanomaterials
    • 4 – Prevention and protection against nanomaterials in the workplace
    • 5 – Quiz: assessment of learning outcomes
  • The 2-hour course can be viewed for one month from the date of registration.
  • Website: https://instn.cea.fr/…risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux…

Notes and references

  • 1
    Indeed, manufacturers sometimes do not file (or withdraw or do not renew) an application for a biocide that does not meet the stricter requirements of the new Biocidal Regulation (or for which they feel the cost will be too high to do so).