Nanotechnologies are safe? New demand for standardization

Abstract

The ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale is leading to a “revolution” in technology and industry. Many products containing nanoparticles are already in the market. Negative impacts on public health, safety or the environment are often not yet known. Standardization is considered as essential to make a certain regulation in the market and avoid future problems. In this paper an overview of the present situation and foreseeable evolution of the standardization related to Nanotechnologies is presented, with emphasis on the situation at European level.