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June 15, 2017

ECHA Launches EU Observatory for Nanomaterials

Lynn L. Bergeson Carla N. Hutton

On June 14, 2017, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the launch of the European Union (EU) Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON).  ECHA states that EUON “offers a unique web-based information point with factual and neutral content about nanomaterials on the EU market.”  EUON is targeted at a wide audience, including consumers, workers, regulators, and scientists.  EUON provides information on uses, health and safety issues, research, regulation, and international activities.  According to ECHA, EUON will be further developed in the coming years with new content to meet the audiences’ needs.  EUON will also carry out studies and make use of external databases and publications.  ECHA is hosting EUON based on a formal delegation agreement between ECHA and the European Commission (EC).  The agreement, signed at the end of 2016, runs until 2020.  ECHA notes that the EC concluded that EUON “is the most efficient and proportionate measure to increase transparency and availability of information regarding nanomaterials.”