Safe(r) by design guidelines for the nanotechnology industry

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Safety
• Sustainable Innovation

Background:

• Growing demand for sustainable chemicals and products aligns with UN and EU strategies.
• Safe(r) by Design (SbD) is an iterative process balancing functionality, safety, environmental, and economic factors early in innovation.
• The EU H2020 NanoReg2 project pioneered SbD implementation in six European companies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide practical guidelines for applying Safe(r) by Design (SbD) in nanotechnology.
• To support companies in integrating safety and sustainability into nanomaterial and nano-enabled product development.
• To facilitate early identification, estimation, and reduction of human and environmental risks.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of SbD principles across six companies in the NanoReg2 project.
• Development of guidelines based on practical experience with nanomaterials (NMs) and nano-enabled products (NEPs).
• Focus on three pillars: safer NMs/NEPs, safer use/end-of-life, and safer industrial production.

Main Results:

• Established a framework for the practical application of SbD in the nanotechnology sector.
• Created a set of tools and information to guide decision-making throughout the innovation process.
• Demonstrated that SbD is adaptable to specific company needs and circumstances.

Conclusions:

• The SbD approach enables early risk identification and mitigation in NM/NEP development.
• Guidelines offer flexibility, not a prescriptive protocol, empowering companies to tailor SbD implementation.
• Successful application of SbD contributes to safer chemicals, products, and sustainable industrial practices.