Qualitative surveys of consumer opinion provide evidence of a positive to indifferent attitude towards nanotechnologies and their application, with one exception : foods. Concerns about cosmetics are also rising and consumer advocacy groups and independent experts have recommended that more risk assessments should be conducted before cosmetics containing nanoscale materials are put on the market. Public authorities in several countries have stressed the need for extended risk assessments and careful oversight.
A number of regulatory agencies are considering the introduction of labelling to indicate the presence of nanoscale materials, especially for foods and cosmetics. Additionally, some regulators have indicated they would introduce mandatory labelling for food and cosmetic products containing nanoscale materials unless industry takes steps to establish a voluntary programme for quality control and labelling.
There are a number of issues that require resolution, particularly the need to precisely define what comprises material at the nanoscale. It will be extremely difficult to develop a risk governance regime in the absence of a universally accepted definition or standard for the size at which material should be called nanoscale. Without adequate risk governance structures and processes, public trust may be lost and consumer acceptance of nanotechnology may consequently be reduced.
Given this situation, IRGC’s second nanotechnology project has the following objectives :
to explore the different definitions and frames that are used in the debate on nanoscaled material in food and cosmetics
to identify the current and future food and cosmetic products containing nanomaterials
to review the current studies and investigations with respect to risk assessment
to review existing risk management activities and regulatory activities in different countries and continents (Europe, US, Japan, Korea, and others)
to compare how different international actors (different countries, international organisations) are making tolerability and acceptability judgements
to identify deficits and develop options for the global risk governance of nanotechnology applications in food and cosmetics.
A multi-stakeholder expert workshop (with representatives from regulators, industry, academia and consumer groups) was held in late April 2008 to discuss key issues and to develop risk governance policy guidelines for nanotechnology applications in food and cosmetics.
Final recommendations will be published in an IRGC Policy Brief in October 2008.