DEFRA Publishes Research Report On Manufactured Nanomaterials

On December 19, 2007, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published a report entitled Characterising the Potential Risks Posed by Engineered Nanoparticles: A Second UK Government Research Report, which follows up on DEFRA’s 2005 report and 2006 progress report. The report reviews the status of research pertaining to the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues relating to engineered nanoparticles, and places the United Kingdom’s (UK) research program in an international context. DEFRA is collaborating with international partners, particularly the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Standards Organization (ISO), to share data and experiences. In this way, according to the report, DEFRA will be able to maximize the effectiveness and speed with which potential risks may be identified and managed.