In the European Union, there are not at present any community texts exclusively dedicated to nanomaterials. But in several texts related to the regulation of some products (food, cosmetics,…), specific provisions have been included.

Few significant dates and characteristic programs of the European position:

• 2009, November 30th: regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products. The regulation describes provisions concerning the prohibition of misleading advertising and the labelling of cosmetic products, cosmetics containing nanomaterials safety assessment (applicable from 01/01/2013).
• 2011, October 18th: the European Commission published  its definition of nanomaterials,
• 2015, November 16th: regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on novel food,
• Horizon 2020 Programme: The European Union plan for the period from 2014 to 2020 for research and innovation funding. The number 1 priority in the program concerns nanotechnologies.