Nanotechnologies cover all technologies and sciences dealing with materials in the size range of 1 nm to 100 nm, where entirely new physical and chemical properties and phenomena, linked to size, can appear. Nanotechnologies clearly have a cross-cutting character that places them at the crossroads of several disciplines including chemistry, biology, electronics, optics, etc.

The nanotechnology sector is a fast-growing sector and is potentially an economic driver for the 21st century. However, despite the expected benefits, this rapid expansion has raised concerns about the potential environmental, health and safety risks associated with nanotechnology and its products.

In this context, the on-going standardisation in this field aims to

• develop a harmonised vocabulary based on a set of consistent definitions and nomenclature, in order to compensate for the largely uncontrolled multiplication of the number of terms used ;
• develop robust test methods for the accurate and reproducible measurement of the properties, performance and physico-chemical characteristics of materials and devices at the nanoscale ;
• develop, in the light of the above-mentioned concerns, standards for the effective assessment of the risks associated to the exposure to nanomaterials ; these standards are needed both in the environmental field (in particular for ecotoxicity studies) and in the medical field (in particular for assessing exposure to toxic materials).

The main normative developments in this area are supported by the following technical committees; detailed information on each of these standardisation bodies can be obtained by following the links provided.

Would you like to actively contribute to the standardisation work in this field? You can do so by participating in the work of the Belgian mirror committee.