EPA Announces RCC Nanotechnology Webinar and Requests Nominations for Case Studies

The Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) will hold a webinar on November 28, 2012, on its RCC Nanotechnology Work Plan. Canada and the U.S. created the RCC to align better their regulatory approaches in a number of areas, including nanotechnology. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the purpose of the RCC’s nanotechnology initiative is to increase, where possible, regulatory transparency and coordination between the U.S. and Canada respecting nanomaterials. The Nanotechnology Work Plan includes specific objectives, deliverables, and milestones for tangible progress within the RCC’s two-year mandate. During the November 28, 2012, webinar, RCC will provide additional background information, as well as updates on ongoing activities under the Nanotechnology Work Plan. Stakeholders should confirm their webinar attendance no later than October 25, 2012.

Under the Nanotechnology Work Plan, there is a pilot project to examine Canadian and U.S. risk assessment and risk management practices and approaches through an evaluation of case studies for specific nanomaterials. EPA states that Canada and the U.S. are considering a number of materials for the case studies and would welcome suggestions from stakeholders. Proposals of nanomaterials for consideration are due October 25, 2012, and must include:

• Chemical name of the nanomaterial;
• Whether the nanomaterial has been notified to/reviewed by either jurisdiction;
• Commercial applications of the nanomaterial;
• Information on exposure and environmental fate of the nanomaterial;
• A complete list of available test data on the nanomaterial and related analogs, including environmental and human toxicity studies; and
• Acknowledgment that, for the purposes of this exercise, both Canada and the U.S. will be able to exchange information freely, including confidential business information (CBI).