Considerations on information needs for nanomaterials in consumer products : discussion of a labelling and reporting scheme for nanomaterials in consumer products in the EU

The number and amount of consumer products and applications using nanotechnology on the market are rapidly increasing, and stakeholders have requested more transparency and traceability concerning the use of nanomaterials in consumer products on the market. This report provides an overview how EU legislation addresses nanomaterials, and recapitulates issues relevant for the on-going discussion on transparency and requests for more information regarding the use of nanomaterials in consumer products. It reviews content related labelling of products containing nanomaterials and the establishment of registers for such products and contributes to the debate on the need for such measures and their possible impact. Furthermore, the report gives an overview of the state of the art of verification methods currently available to detect and quantify nanomaterials, also when they are embedded in matrices. The addressees of the report include policy makers, EU Member State authorities, industry, NGOs, research institutes and consumers.