European research programs
Lots of research European programs are currently under development on the risk assessment and management related to nanotechnologies:
- MARINA: the aim of MARINA is to develop and validate the Risk Management Methods for Nanomaterials. MARINA will address the four central themes for the Risk Assessment and Management of Nanomaterials: Materials, Exposure, Hazard, and Risk. In MARINA we will develop beyond state-of-the-art referential tools from each of these themes and integrate them into a Risk Management Toolbox and Strategy for both human and environmental health [www.marina-fp7.eu],
- NANoREG: the project will identify the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) aspects that are most relevant from a regulatory point of view. It will provide tools for testing the EHS aspects and the assessment and management of the risks to the regulators and other stakeholders. To assure that the final results of the project can be implemented in an efficient and effective way, Industry and Regulators are strongly involved in the project [www.nanoreg.eu],
- SUN: unlike other nano-environmental, health and safety (EHS) projects advancing the understanding of the properties, interactions, fate, impacts and risks of nanomaterials, SUN was envisioned to walk down the road from scientific implications to industrial applications while at the same time inform regulatory oversight. The SUN research process integrates the bottom-up generation of nano-EHS data and methods with the top-down design of a Decision Support System (DSS) for practical use by industries and regulators. The SUN industrial partners will test the DSS against supply chains of real products. This validation will culminate in guidelines for safe nanoscale product and process design. In addition SUN will identify needs for future research and assign priorities for current regulation. We will work with major international stakeholders to implement the SUN results into practice and regulation [www.sun-fp7.eu].