NGOs say new initiative by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) aimed at improving transparency around the use of nanomaterials is not fit for purpose.

On 7 December, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) signed an agreement with the European Commission to start working on the European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials (EU-ON).

The observatory will be tasked with providing information regarding the content and safe use of nanomaterials (e.g. REACH, biocides, cosmetics), and will target European citizens as well as businesses and policy makers.

However, NGOs, including the EEB, (see list below) believe the observatory will simply enforce the status quo with no benefits for consumers.

 “For almost 10 years, NGOS, consumer groups, Member States and research organisations have been calling for information about the nature, quantity and uses of nanomaterials, and the products containing them, to be publicly available. The observatory will only compile and repackage existing information, much of which is based on marketing claims. The observatory as such will do nothing to inform citizens and experts, and is therefore a waste of taxpayer’s money. This is why environmental and consumer organizations refuse to participate in it.”

Please feel free to attribute the quote to the following NGOs:

The EEB, ECOS, CIEL, ClientEarth, ANEC, BEUC, HEAL, Oeko Institute, AVICENN, Agir pour l’environnement, Zero Association for the sustainability of the earth system (Zero).