Nanosciences and nanotechnologies: European Action 2005-2009
Eva Hellsten European Commission DG Environment
Relation with EU Action Plan on Environment and Health
Action 8 of E&H Action Plan ‘2004-2006: The Community will work with Member States and international organisations, notably the WHO, to…address… possible environmental and human health impacts of nanoparticles’
Policy is being developed under the Communication ‘Nanosciences and nanotechnologies: an Action Plan for Europe 2005-2009’.
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2005/com2005_0243en01.pdf
This presentation focuses on the work plan outlined in this Nanotechnology Action Plan, and the state of play on implementation. References to the ‘Action Plan’ from now on are to the Nanotech Action Plan.
Setting the scene….
Breakthrough in science - ability to control matter at the atomic level Widespread industrial applications for materials and devices with new properties due to the small size
Developed and introduced into the market with high speed all over the world.
Huge benefits, but uncertainties about health, safety and environment aspects….
Huge potential benefits…….
Economic development, boost for R&D and industrial innovation – Lisbon agenda
Technical innovations to increase social welfare – medicinal applications, electronics, durable materials etc. Sustainable development through less energy and material input, and environment remediation
…..but also concern about potential impacts……
Free nanoparticles potentially harmful to health and environment (reactivity, penetration into body, brain and cells, PBT properties?) Unknown exposures (workplaces, consumers, via environment or food-chain?)
Long term concerns for non-ethical applications
The European Approach…. …. a safe, integrated and responsible strategy for N&N….
Towards
a European Strategy for Nanotechnology adopted in May 2004 activities proposed in the Action Plan for Europe 2005-2009 adopted in June 2005
Implementing
Nanotechnology in a broader policy context
Lisbon agenda
Societal Issues
International collaboration
Infra structure
Research and Development
Industrial Innovation
Human Resources
Health, safety, environmental and consumer protection
Sustainable Development
Eight groups of actions divided into
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Research, Development and Innovation Infrastructure and European Poles of Excellence Interdisciplinary Human Resources: Europe needs Creativity Industrial Innovation: From Knowledge to the Market Integrating the Societal Dimension: Expectations and Concerns Public Health, Safety, Environment and Consumer Protection International Cooperation Implementing a Coherent Approach at European Level
What has COM done so far?
investments under 4-6th FP – supporting innovation, education, centres of excellence, SMEs; including health and safety aspects Addressing environment and health concerns (chapter 6) Promoting and participating in international collaboration
R&D
R&D investments under the Framework Programmes
FP4
1994-1998 120 M€ FP5 1998-2002 280 M€ FP6 2002-2006 1300 M€
Infrastructure, 16.46 Science and Society, 1.09 NEST, 8.15 Marie Curie, 39.73
ERA-NET, 2.20 SMEs, 8.14
NMP, 209.01
IST, 175.11
2005 ~460 € million
estimated
Growth of Support for Nanotech at EU Level
500 450 400 FP4 FP5 FP6 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Source: European Commission (2005)
expenditure ( R&DPublic Funding (€) M€)
Areas Supported by the FPs
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% FP4 FP5 FP6 Health / Environment Research Training Nanotools Nanoelectronics Nanobio / Nanomedicine Nanomaterials Frontier Research
As comparison - R&D expenditures world-wide 2004
3,000
R&D expenditure ( M€ )
Public R&D Investment (€)
2,000 Private 580
Private 1700
Private 1540 States 333 Private 370 Federal 910 Public 750 Public 540 Others
1,000
Member States + Associated 980
EC 370 0 Europe US
Japan
Source: European Commission (2005)
Action Plan on Environment and Health Safety issues Chapter 6
knowledge base - definitions, measurements, toxicological and ecotoxicological test methods, exposures, risk assessment Regulatory aspects – inventory of existing legislation
Improve
Environment and Health - filling knowledge gaps
Workshops: A Preliminary Risk Analysis (March 2004) Research Needs for Nanoparticles (Jan 2005)
Expected Opinion from the Scientific Committee (SCENIHR) in October 2005 on assessment of risks and methodologies
E&H in Research Programmes
NANOSAFE NANODERM NANOPATHOLOGY MAAPHRI NANOFORUM NANOTOX IMPART NANOSAFE2
~2.5M€
>8M€
7th Framework Programme Technological Platforms
New structures form completely new classes of materials
That will be used in many industrial sectors – lifecycle perspective
Material processing
Manufacture
Distribution
Use
Recovery
Reuse Recycle Raw material Waste
Inventory of current legislation
Chemicals legislation: New and existing substances legislation to generate data, safety measures, like classification and labelling, and risk management. Will likely be replaced by REACH and GHS. Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, Biocides – authorisation schemes
Medical devices, cosmetics, food additives and packages Worker protection Air, Water, IPPC, Seveso, Waste, Environment Liability, Product liability, Product safety
Identifying knowledge gaps from an E&H perspective
definitions, hazard characterisation; exposure and effects assessment; fate, transport, persistence etc. in environmental media; measurement, sampling and monitoring;
nomenclature,
Some events in 2005
Febr UK Government: National Agenda June OECD Chemicals Committee: Special Session on potential implications of nanomaterials. June EU Commission: An Action Plan for EU 2005-09 June US EPA: Proposal for a voluntary notification scheme under the chemicals legislation (TCSA) July International dialogue in Brussels on collaboration in R&D (25 countries) Oct Germany: Stakeholders conference in Bonn Oct UK presidency workshop Dec 2nd OECD workshop in Washington
Challenges for policy makers
To strike the right balance between
Creating a good climate and conditions for innovation and development of applications, contributing to economic growth, welfare and sustainable development Ensuring that potential risks to environment and human health, as well as public and ethical concerns, are looked into and dealt with at an early stage