New Activities Added to the “Global Plan of Action of the Strategic Approach” Relating to Nanotechnologies and Manufactured Nanomaterials

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) has announced new work activities to promote the environmentally sound management of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials (NM). Outlined in Appendix 1, of Annex II (SAICM/ICCM.3/24) the new work areas and activities are aimed to promote 4 central objectives related to nanotechnologies and nanomaterials: 

• Promote risk reduction of NMs

Proposed activities include development of internationally recognized standards and guidelines; and development of regulatory, law and policy frameworks to protect workers, the public, and the environment from harm.  

• Increase available knowledge and information on NMs

Proposed activities include increased coordination, support and/or funding of scientific research; hosting national workshops on nanomaterial regulatory initiatives; developing national or regional inventories of nanomaterials; and promoting the labelling of nano-enabled products

• Address the governance of NMs

Activities include reviewing applicability of GHS criteria for NMs; promoting public awareness of NMs; promoting development and coordination of management programs worldwide.  

• Promote cooperation and capacity building in both public and private sectors

Activities include promotion of public-private partnerships (P3) for environmentally sounds management of NMs. 

This Global Plan of Action of Strategic Approach was originally formed at ICCM3 conference held by The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in order to facilitate information exchange regarding nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials. New work areas and activities for hazardous substances within the life-cycles of electronic and electrical products are also outlined.