ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of matter at the level of a handful of molecules—the diameter of one human hair is 100,000 nm—and everything on earth is made up of nanoparticles. Some nanomaterials occur naturally: smoke, soot, dust, or sand. Some nanoparticles have been engineered or manufactured by humans, others occur naturally, and yet another, mysterious group of nanoparticles seems to be generated as a by-product of events or industrial processes. The goal of applying nano-enabled products to commerce while balancing fair protection from harm can be achieved using risk management systems without actually defining nanotechnology itself. In the EU, the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals is governed by Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on classification, labeling, and packaging (CLP) of substances and mixtures. Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical Substances (REACH) is the overarching legislation applicable to manufacturing, placing on the market, and using substances on their own, in preparations or in articles.
