15 NGOs call for a clearer definition of the term “nanomaterials”
Fifteen NGOs have sent an open letter to the European Commission asking it to clarify and improve its definition of the term “nanomaterials”.
After seven years of delay and procrastination, the European Commission hastily launched a so-called “consultation” last May-June, which proposes unclear changes and, worse, is likely to make a large number of manufactured nanoparticles disappear from the authorities’ radar.
While the registration of nanomaterials in REACH is already deficient (there are half as many nanomaterials registered in REACH as there are in the French r-nano register) and their labeling is mostly unenforced, this setback in the monitoring of nanomaterials is particularly worrying.

The NGOs would therefore like the Commission to open the discussion so that this definition can be reworked collectively before being integrated into the various European regulations.
Upcoming Nano Agenda
- 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
- Seminar presenting the Seirich system for chemical risk assessment, with a focus on the specificities of nanomaterials.
- Organizers: Association NanoMesureFrance
- Speakers: Florian Marc (INRS)
- Website: www.eventbrite.fr/e/billets-nanomesurefrance-webinar-1984136502691
- 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/…