Download PDF
February 28, 2017

Another Draft REACH Guidance Document on Nanomaterials Moves to CARACAL for Review

Lynn L. Bergeson Carla N. Hutton

According to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website, the draft Guidance on information requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment:  Appendix R7-1 Recommendations for nanomaterials applicable to Chapter R7a Endpoint specific guidance and Appendix R7-2 Recommendations for nanomaterials applicable to Chapter R7c Endpoint specific guidance has been sent to the Competent Authorities for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP) (CARACAL) on February 23, 2017.  The guidance focuses on specific recommendations for testing materials that are nanomaterials.  The guidance notes that part of the advice provided is not strictly nanospecific (e.g., it may also be applicable to other particulate materials).  When included, however, it has been considered that the issue is especially relevant for nanomaterials and should be part of the nanospecific guidance.  In other instances, no additional guidance for the endpoint has been provided, including when the endpoint is not relevant for nanomaterials (e.g., flash point or surface tension), the guidance already provided is considered to be equally applicable to nanomaterials, or because more research is needed before developing advice.